Hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle

ABSTRACT

This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage of International Application No.PCT/KR2015/009238, filed Sep. 2, 2015, which claims the benefit ofpriority to Korean Application No. 10-2015-0124156, filed Sep. 2, 2015,Korean Application No. 10-2014-0116110, filed Sep. 2, 2014, and KoreanApplication No. 10-2014-0116163, filed Sep. 2, 2014 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein in their entireties by reference.

This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularlyto a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automaticallyand adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosurerelates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which usefluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include varioushydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in variousconfigurations and may operate in various methods and sequences toprovide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional bicycle includes a chain gear between its front wheel anda rear wheel in order to allow a user to manually change gear ratios (orsimply “change gears”). However, some circumstances render it verydifficult for a user to change gears when a road condition changes sorapidly, and to maintain a proper speed even when the user succeeds inchanging gears. An electrical bicycle may overcome such problems to someextent. However, the electrical bicycle requires expensive sensors tomeasure an rpm of a wheel, to monitor a slope of a road, and the like,and may also suffer from frequent malfunctions of such sensors, not tomention their high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various “hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles” (to be abbreviatedas “HAT bicycles” hereinafter) of this disclosure include various“hydraulic automatic transmission” (to be referred to as “HAT”hereinafter) which may be provided in various configurations and whichmay operate in various mechanisms and sequences. Accordingly, a user ofthis HAT bicycle can change gear ratios and speeds of the bicyclewithout having to rely on prior art mechanical chain gears. A HATbicycle may also minimize malfunctions of conventional mechanical chaingears, accidents caused by slipping chains or by jammed chains due touser's pants, and grease stains ruing pants of a user.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of this disclosure mayalso include a HAT which in turn includes a hydraulic pump. The HAT maybe configured to dispose all (or at least a substantial number of)elements of its driving part inside a housing of the HAT. Therefore, theHAT bicycle can minimize erosion or corrosion of such elements of thedriving part caused by an environment (e.g., a rain, a snow, or saltspread on a road), and can also prevent dirt from entering the drivingpart, thereby minimizing malfunctions caused thereby. Because all (ormost) elements of a driving part of the HAT are disposed inside ahousing of the HAT, a user can also prevent his or her pants fromcontacting such elements of the driving part and from jamming thedriving part. The HAT also includes a hydraulic motor which is driven bypressurized fluid which in turn is discharged from an outlet of ahydraulic pump, where all (or at least a substantial number of) elementsof a driving part of such a hydraulic motor may similarly be disposedinside a housing of the HAT.

In addition, a hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of thedisclosure may include a HAT which can automatically change gear ratiosand which does not require manual manipulation by a user. Therefore, asthe HAT bicycle may automatically and adaptively change gear ratios (orspeed ratios) in response to changes in road conditions duringoperation, without requiring any manual manipulation from a user.Because such a HAT bicycle can change gear ratios automatically withoutrequiring user manipulations to cope with such changes in roadconditions, the HAT bicycle may minimize user inconveniences which mayhappen when the user misses an optimum timing of changing gears andcannot ride up a hill.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of this disclosure alsoincludes a HAT which may provide infinitely variable gear ratios. As aresult, a user does not have to shift a gear to a 1^(st) gear ratio inresponse to a change in road condition, and then has to shift to another2^(nd) gear ratio as the road condition changes again, for a HAT mayautomatically and adaptively shift a HAT bicycle to a certain gear ratiowhich is optimum to a certain road condition at that time and then shiftto another gear ratio which is also optimum to a new road condition.Accordingly, a user may ride a HAT bicycle, without having to worryabout responding to the road conditions which may change forever.Because a HAT bicycle provides infinitely variable gear ratios, such abicycle neither has to mark or display a fixed number of multiple gearratios, nor has to include a separate gear shift indicator representinga list of such fixed gear ratios. Accordingly, a user can ride a HATbicycle without having to manipulate such gear ratios or gears at all.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) of a HAT bicycle of thisdisclosure may have a very short reaction time or a very short responsetime, for the HAT is manipulated by fluid pressure and, therefore,capable of shifting gears (or changing gear ratios) almost in real timein response to such changes in road conditions. It is appreciated that apressure of fluid inside a HAT is generally synchronized with a pressureof fluid in a tube connected to the HAT in (almost) real time, as longas the tube does not include any valve or any part which block pressurecommunication therealong. Therefore, in contrary to conventionalelectrical automatic transmissions which at best electrically respond tochanges in road conditions only after monitoring such conditions, theHAT of this disclosure can shift gears (or change gear ratios) usingsuch fluid pressure and allow a user to ride a HAT bicycle with optimumgear ratios, while responding to changes in road conditions (almost) inreal time. It is appreciated that a HAT with almost no response time mayrespond to changes in road conditions, mechanical load or mechanicalresistance so rapidly such that a user may feel uneasy or uncomfortable.To obviate this problem, a HAT bicycle of this disclosure may dampen thetimings or extents of such gear shifting (or gear ratio changing) e.g.,by controlling fluid flow along the tube or by impeding such fluid flow,thereby increasing a response (or reaction) time beyond a certainthreshold value.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) of this disclosure may alsoinclude a conventional hydraulic pump (or motor) or may instead includea hydraulic pump (or motor) which is a variation or modification of sucha prior art hydraulic pump (or motor) as will be described below.Accordingly, the HAT bicycle which includes such a HAT can bemass-produced at a low cost and the HAT bicycle may not require anyhydraulic pump (or motor) which operates under a brand new operatingmechanism.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of this disclosure mayinclude a HAT which can perform various functions as described above orbelow but which may include a hydraulic pump (or motor) which can beused in a low rpm range. In particular, such a hydraulic pump (or motor)may be configured to operate in a low rpm range by slightly modifying orimproving a configuration of a prior art hydraulic pump (or motor). As aresult, a user may select optimum gear ratios and may ride a bicycle ata low range of rpms (e.g., 600 rpm, 400 rpm, and the like) which maymatch his or her body or health conditions.

In general, a hydraulic pump may be classified based on driving pressuresuch that a hydraulic pump operating in or beyond about 250 atm(atmosphere) is referred to as a “high-pressure hydraulic pump,” that ahydraulic pump operating between about 125 atm and about 250 atm isreferred to as a “mid-pressure hydraulic pump,” and that a hydraulicpump operating in or under about 125 atm is referred to as a“low-pressure hydraulic pump.” In this respect, a HAT bicycle of thisdisclosure may typically include a low-pressure hydraulic pump or amid-pressure hydraulic pump operating in a relatively low pressurerange. Therefore, a HAT operating in a low to medium pressure range mayreduce energy loss due to relatively low friction of various elements ofa driving part of a HAT, and may therefore increase a driving efficiencyof the HAT bicycle. Accordingly, a user may ride a HAT bicycle in gearratios which match his or her physical or health conditions as well aswhich match varying road conditions, without exerting excessive forcethereonto. Because a user does not exert excessive force thereon, a HATbicycle may be free from excessive friction in its driving part and mayalso minimize malfunctions caused by erosion or fatigues. A HAT bicycleoperating in a relatively low pressure range may only need a relativelythin housing such that a HAT bicycle may be made compact and light, at alow cost as well.

As a result, a hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of thisdisclosure may include a compact or light HAT. For example, such a HATmay be configured to have a size which is below a certain ratio (orpercentage) of a size of a body (or a frame) of the HAT bicycle, or tohave a weight which is below a certain ratio (or percentage) of a weightof a body (or a frame) thereof. Conversely, when a HAT bicycle is aheavy-duty bicycle, such a HAT bicycle may be configured to have a sizeor a weight which may exceed a certain ratio (or percentage) of a sizeof a body (or a frame) of a HAT bicycle or a weight thereof. Inaddition, a seat or a pedal of a HAT bicycle may be configured to matchcertain body parts of a user, while requiring a size or a weight of sucha seat or pedal to be less than (or to exceed) a certain ratio (orpercentage) of a size or a weight of a part of a HAT bicycle (or a user)as well. As a result, a HAT bicycle may be manufactured to have a sizeor a weight which may be comparable with those of a prior art bicyclewith a chain gear, while improving a driving efficiency.

Although a hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of thisdisclosure may automatically shift gears and change gear ratios, such aHAT bicycle may be also configured to change a gear ratio as well, e.g.,[1] when a magnitude of mechanical energy supplied to a HAT bicycle by auser exceeds a threshold value, [2] when mechanical load (or resistance)exerted onto a driving wheel (e.g., a front wheel, a rear wheel or bothwheels) exceeds a threshold value, regardless of such mechanical energyapplied by a user to the HAT bicycle, [3] when mechanical energysupplied by a user to a HAT bicycle in response to such mechanical loadexceeds a threshold value, regardless of a magnitude of such mechanicalresistance exerted onto the HAT bicycle, or [4] when mechanical energysupplied to fluid by a battery-operating electrical motor exceeds athreshold value.

A HAT bicycle may also be configured to change gear ratios, e.g., [1]when a fluid pressure inside a certain portion of a HAT bicycle exceedsa threshold value due to mechanical energy supplied thereto by a user,[2] when a fluid pressure inside a certain portion of a HAT bicycleexceeds a threshold value due to mechanical load (or resistance) exertedonto the driving wheel, regardless of such mechanical energy applied bya user to the HAT bicycle, [3] when a fluid pressure in a certainportion of a HAT bicycle exceeds a threshold value due to mechanicalenergy supplied by a user in response to the mechanical load, regardlessof a magnitude of such mechanical resistance exerted onto the HATbicycle, or [4] when a fluid pressure inside a certain portion of a HATbicycle exceeds a threshold value due to such mechanical energy suppliedto fluid by a battery-operating electrical motor.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) may also include variousmechanical shift adjustors each of which may allow a user to manuallycontrol the above threshold value of a mechanical load, mechanicalenergy, or fluid pressure. Accordingly, a user may manipulate a shiftadjustor in such a way that a HAT bicycle may change a gear ratio [1]when such mechanical load (or resistance) exceed a certain user-selectedthreshold, or [2] when a pressure of fluid entering a HAT (or inside aHAT) exceeds a certain user-selected threshold due to such mechanicalload.

Using such a shift adjustor properly, a user may render a HAT bicycle toshift gears on a hill when a user supplies only a certain amount ofmechanical energy which matches his or her physical or health condition.

As described in the preceding paragraph, a HAT bicycle of thisdisclosure allows a user to manually exert a force onto a shift adjustorand to adjust such a threshold value. Alternatively and as will beexplained below in greater detail, a HAT bicycle may allow a user to usean electrical unit to control such a shift adjustor and to select adesired threshold value, thereby shifting gears based on such a value.With this electrical device or with manual manipulation as described inthe preceding paragraph, a user may control the shift adjustor in such away that a HAT bicycle may change gears even with a small amount ofmechanical energy which is applied by a senior person or by a youngpatient. In addition, the above electrical device may allow a user toreplace a previously selected threshold value with a new value before orwhile riding a HAT bicycle for the convenience on the part of a user.

A user may instead manipulate the above shift adjustor of a HAT bicycleto change a gear ratio when such mechanical energy, mechanical load orpressure may exceed a certain maximum threshold value or, in thealternative, may fall below a certain minimum threshold value.Accordingly, when a user wants to improve his or her strength, the usermay manipulate a HAT bicycle to shift gears only when the load, energy,or pressure exceeds the maximum threshold value. Conversely, when a userpreferentially wants to use a HAT bicycle for commute, he or she may setup a HAT bicycle to shift gears as long as such a load, energy orpressure stays below a minimum threshold value.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) of this disclosure may alsoinclude a variable-volume (or a fixed-volume) hydraulic pump, and avariable-volume (or a fixed-volume) hydraulic motor. When a hydraulicpump unit of a HAT includes at least one variable-volume hydraulic pump,a hydraulic motor unit of the same HAT may include at least onevariable-volume (or a fixed-volume) hydraulic motor therein. To thecontrary, when a hydraulic pump unit of a HAT includes at least onefixed-volume hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor unit of the same HAT maythen include at least one variable-volume hydraulic motor so as toperform such automatic or adaptive transmission. Such a HAT may alsoinclude a variable-volume hydraulic pump as well as a variable-volumehydraulic motor, thereby expanding or maximizing a range of such gearratios, where such a range typically spans from a minimum gear ratio toa maximum gear ratio.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of this disclosure mayinclude a hydraulic brake capable of stopping the bicycle or decreasingits speed, e.g., by stopping flow of a certain (or an entire) portion offluid flowing into or out of a hydraulic pump, into or out of ahydraulic motor, or in other tubes. More particularly, such a hydraulicbrake is configured to entirely or partially block a flow of fluid in anupstream of a hydraulic pump or motor, in a downstream thereof, ofinside of such a hydraulic pump or motor. A HAT bicycle may use ahydraulic brake as the only brake or may use the hydraulic brake inconjunction with a conventional mechanical brake, where a user mayoptionally use such hydraulic and mechanical brakes concurrently or oneat a time. Alternatively, a HAT bicycle may include both of thehydraulic and mechanical brakes and a user may recruit such brakes insuch a way that, e.g., [1] when a user first activates a mechanicalbrake, a hydraulic brake may start to operate concurrently therewith orafter a certain temporal gap or [2] when a user first activates ahydraulic brake, a mechanical brake may start to operate concurrentlytherewith or after a certain temporal gap. Thus, a user may have optionsof using one brake or both brakes concurrently or one after anotherdepending upon situations, thereby stopping a HAT bicycle safely andefficiently.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) of this disclosure may befabricated to be easily incorporated to a conventional bicycle. Forexample and as described above, such a HAT may be shaped or sized in acertain weight each of which may be comparable with that of a prior artbicycle and, therefore, may be conveniently mounted onto a prior artbicycle. In addition, a hydraulic pump unit and a hydraulic motor unitof a HAT may be fabricated to be implementable, e.g., between a pedalaxis and a rotation axis of a rear wheel of a prior art bicycle.Therefore, mechanical energy supplied by a user into a pedal istransferred to a hydraulic pump of a hydraulic pump unit, and thehydraulic pump may pressurize a variable volume of fluid and deliversuch fluid to a hydraulic motor unit. As a result, such a HAT may embodyautomatic and infinitely variable gear ratios. In addition, a hydraulicpump unit (or motor unit) may replace a pedal axis, a chain of a rearwheel, gear, or a rotation axis of a rear wheel, depending upon relativesizes or configurations thereof.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycle of this disclosure mayuse a pedal or a pedal axis which may be identical to those of a priorart bicycle, and may also include a prior art chain gear which connectsa rear wheel to the pedal axis. Accordingly, when a HAT bicycle employsa prior art pedal axis, the HAT bicycle may [1] mechanically couple adriving axis of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump) with thepedal axis either directly or indirectly, or [2] mechanically couple adriving axis of a hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor) eitherdirectly or indirectly. When a HAT bicycle employs a prior art chain (orits chain gear), the HAT bicycle may [1] mechanically couple a pedalaxis with a driving axis of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulicpump) with a prior art chain (or a chain gear), [2] mechanically couplea driving axis of a hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor) with aprior art chain (or a chain gear), or [3] mechanically couple a drivingaxis of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump) with a drivingaxis of a hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor) with a prior artchain (or a chain gear).

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) of this disclosure may also beconfigured to be driven [1] solely by mechanical energy provided to itspedal by a user or [2] by such mechanical energy provided by the userand mechanical energy provided by an electrical motor which operates ona battery (or on an electrical generator which is operated by a user)concurrently, individually or one at a time. This arrangement allows auser to drive a HAT bicycle in a mechanical, manual driving mode or inan electrical driving mode, to switch from one mode to another mode, andthe like, depending on user's need or road conditions.

A hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) of this disclosure may also befabricated as a unitary article, as a semi-unitary article, or as anassembly of multiple parts. In one example, a HAT may include ahydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump), a hydraulic motor unit (orits hydraulic motor), and all (or at least a substantial number of)various tubes inside a cover of a HAT, thereby providing the single,unitary article. In another example, a HAT may include a substantialportion of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump), a substantialportion of a hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor), and asubstantial portion but not all tubes inside the cover of the HAT,thereby providing a semi-unitary article. When the cover is made of orincludes sturdy material or when the cover is fabricated in a sturdyconfiguration, these configurations offer a benefit of mechanicallyprotecting such units, motors, pumps or tubes contained inside the coverfrom external shocks or impacts.

Accordingly, various hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycles ofthis disclosure may be provided in various configurations as describedhereinabove and hereinafter, and may be operated or used in variousmethods as described hereinabove and hereinafter. As a result, such HATbicycles of this disclosure offer a user with various benefits oradvantages such as, e.g., enhanced convenience, improved safety, and thelike.

A hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle (HAT bicycle) of thisdisclosure includes therein various hydraulic automatic transmissions(HATs) in order to solve various problems or shortcomings associatedwith prior art bicycles by incorporating various configurationsthereinto or by operating such HATs in various methods. Followingportions of this disclosure provide further configurations of such HATsand bicycles incorporating such HATs, further methods of constructingsuch HATs and HAT bicycles, and further methods of using such HATs andHAT bicycles.

It is appreciated that a hydraulic automatic transmission (HAT) bicycleof this disclosure may be embodied in various exemplary “aspects” or mayincorporate at least one of such “aspects” therein. It is alsoappreciated that each of such exemplary “aspects” may be embodied invarious exemplary “embodiments” or may also incorporate at least one ofsuch “embodiments” therein. It is further appreciated that each of suchexemplary “embodiments” may be practiced in various “detailed examples(or simply ‘examples’)” or may also include at least one of such“examples” therein. Accordingly, following portions of this disclosureenumerate each of such exemplary aspects along with their exemplaryembodiments, and those examples for each of such embodiments.

In one exemplary aspect A′ (i.e., an Aspect A′) of this disclosure, aHAT bicycle may include therein at least one hydraulic motor unit, atleast one hydraulic pump unit, and at least one control unit, and isconfigured to change a gear ratio automatically (or adaptively) inresponse to an external mechanical load exerted onto at least a portionof such a HAT. As used herein, a “hydraulic pump (or motor) unit”collectively refers to a hydraulic motor unit or a hydraulic pump unithereinafter. More particularly, such a hydraulic motor unit maypressurize fluid which is contained therein (up) to a certain pressure(to be referred to as a “motor pressure” hereinafter) in response to an(external) mechanical load which typically depends upon a roadcondition.

A hydraulic pump unit may pressurize fluid contained therein to acertain pressure which exceeds the above motor pressure (to be referredto as a “pump pressure” hereinafter) using mechanical energy providedthereto by a user. The hydraulic pump unit may then discharge suchpressurized fluid to a hydraulic motor unit indirectly or directly,where the hydraulic pump unit may variably control a discharging volume(or a discharging flow rate) of such pressurized fluid depending upon atleast one of various factors such as, e.g., the above mechanical energy,such motor pressure, such pump pressure, an rpm of the hydraulic motorunit, or an rpm of other units coupling with the hydraulic motor unit. Acontrol unit may also control at least one of such motor pressure, suchpump pressure, and variable discharging volume (or flow rate) of thehydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump). Because the hydraulic motorunit may then take in the pressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump unitin such a variable discharging volume, an rpm of the hydraulic motorunit can be different from an rpm of the hydraulic pump unit, wherebythe hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit may provide suchinfinitely variable gear ratios.

In another exemplary aspect A″ (i.e., an Aspect A″) of this disclosurewhich corresponds to a variation of the above exemplary Aspect A′, a HATbicycle may include at least one hydraulic motor unit, at least onehydraulic pump unit, at least one control unit, and at least one HAT,where the HAT is configured to change a gear ratio based on at least oneof such external mechanical load, an rpm of the hydraulic motor unit, oran rpm of other parts coupling with the hydraulic motor unit. Moreparticularly, the hydraulic motor unit may pressurize fluid containedtherein to the motor pressure, while the hydraulic pump unit maypressurize fluid contained therein to the pump pressure which exceedsthe motor pressure using mechanical energy provided by a user, and maythen discharge the pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor unit, wherethe hydraulic pump unit may variably control a discharging volume (orflow rate) of the pressurized fluid based on at least one of variousfactors such as, e.g., the above mechanical energy, such motor pressure,such pump pressure, an rpm of the hydraulic motor unit, or an rpm ofother units coupling with the hydraulic motor unit. The hydraulic motorunit, the hydraulic pump unit, or the control unit is configured todirectly or indirectly couple with a body of the bicycle.

Accordingly, the hydraulic motor unit may take in a variable volume ofthe fluid discharged by the hydraulic pump and drives itself, therebyautomatically changing a gear ratio from a 1^(st) rpm of the hydraulicmotor unit and another 2nd rpm of the hydraulic pump unit which isdifferent from the 1^(st) rpm.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect A collectively refers to such anAspect A′ as well as such an Aspect A″, and various embodiments of theAspect A are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment A-1 of this exemplary aspect A, a HAT or itshydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be configured as a light-weight HAT(or unit) or a heavy weight HAT (or unit) in proportion to a weight of auser, or that of a frame of a HAT bicycle. In one example, a HAT or itshydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be configured to weigh [1] less thanabout 13 kg, 11 kg, 9 kg, 7 kg, 5 kg or 3 kg, or [2] less than about160%, 140%, 120%, 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40% or 30% of a weightof the frame of the HAT bicycle. When the frame is made of or includes alight metal or a light composite material, the weight of the HAT or itshydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be less than about 230%, 210%, 190%,170%, 150%, 130%, 110% or 90% of a weight of the frame of the HATbicycle. Other details of a weight of the HAT or its hydraulic pump (ormotor) unit may also be similar or identical to those of variousembodiments of other aspects of this disclosure.

In another exemplary embodiment A-2 of this exemplary aspect A, a HAT orits hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be configured as a large-sizedtransmission (or unit), as a medium-sized transmission (or unit), or asa small-sized transmission (or unit), in proportion to a size (e.g., alength or a height) of a user or a frame of a HAT bicycle. For example,a driving part of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may have a sizewhich may be less than about 33 cm, 30 cm, 27 cm, 24 cm, 21 cm, 18 cm,15 cm or 12, or may instead have a smaller size which may be less thanabout 13 cm, 11 cm, 9 cm, 7 cm or 5 cm when the HAT or its hydraulicpump (or motor) may be provided as a small-sized transmission (or unit).When the hydraulic pump (motor) unit may include a vane pump (or motor),a diameter of a rotor of the vane pump (or motor) may be less than about32 cm, 29 cm, 26 cm, 23 cm, 20 cm, 17 cm, 14 cm, 11 cm, or 8 cm.However, when the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may include a pistonpump (or motor), a displacement of its driving part (i.e., its piston)may be less than about 32 cm, 29 cm, 26 cm, 23 cm, 20 cm, 17 cm, 14 cm,11 cm, or 8 cm. In addition, when the hydraulic pump (or motor) unitincludes a light-weight vane pump (or motor) or a light-weight pistonpump (or motor), a diameter or a displacement of its driving part may beless than about 12 cm, 10 cm, 8 cm, 6 cm or 4 cm.

It is appreciated in the above paragraph that a size of the hydraulicpump (or motor) unit and its hydraulic pump (or motor) may correspond toits length or height depending upon an orientation of its installationand, therefore, the size may correspond to a long axis of the hydraulicpump (or motor). In addition, a thickness of the HAT, its hydraulic pump(or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor) may be less than about130%, 110%, 90%, 70%, or 50% of a width of a seat of the HAT bicycle. Athickness of the HAT, its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, or itshydraulic pump (or motor) may instead be less than about 150%, 130%,110%, 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, or 60% of a maximum distance between thepedals of the HAT bicycle. Details of such a size, a length, a height,or a thickness of the HAT or its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may besimilar or identical to those of various embodiments of other aspects ofthis disclosure.

In another exemplary embodiment A-3 of this exemplary aspect A, a HAT orits hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be configured to have variousvolumes (or flow rates) in proportion to a body constitution of a useror to a mechanical load imposed by various road conditions. In additionand based thereon, the HAT or its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may beclassified into a high-volume HAT (or unit), a mid-volume HAT (or unit)or a low-volume HAT (or unit).

Alternatively, a HAT or its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may beclassified into a high-volume ratio HAT (or unit), a mid-volume ratioHAT (or unit) or a low-volume ratio HAT (or unit) according to amechanical load which may be imposed by a road condition or which may bedetermined by a physical condition of a user. As used herein, a “volumeratio” is to be defined as a ratio of an intake (or discharging) volumeof a fluid by (or out of) a hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulicmotor) to an intake (or discharging) volume of a fluid by (or out of) ahydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump). When a hydraulic pump (ormotor) may be a variable-volume type, a maximum volume (or volume ratio)and a minimum volume (or volume ratio) may also be calculated. Forexample, the HAT or its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit is configured tohave such a volume ratio which may be less than about 10.0 or, moreparticularly, less than about 5.0, about 4.0, about 3.0, between about1.0 and about 2.0, between about 0.5 and about 1.0, between about 0.2and about 0.5, between about 0.1 and 0.2, and the like. The HAT bicyclemay also configure its hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump) orits hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor) to have relatively bigvolumes depending upon needs of a user.

In another exemplary embodiment A-4 of this exemplary aspect A, a HATincluding one of such HATs may include a hydraulic pump (or motor) unitor its driving part capable of rotating in a high speed, a medium speed,or a low speed, according to the mechanical load or mechanical energyprovided by a user. In one example, such a hydraulic pump (or motor)unit or its driving part may rotate at about 600 rpm in a very highspeed riding, at about 200 rpm, 300 rpm, 400 rpm or 500 rpm in a highspeed riding, between about 60 rpm and 200 rpm in a normal riding, andthe like.

In another exemplary embodiment A-5 of this exemplary aspect A, a HAT orits hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be classified into ahigh-pressure HAT (or unit), a mid-pressure HAT (or unit) or alow-pressure HAT (or unit) according to fluid pressure inside such a HAT(or unit) or pressure of a fluid discharging out of such a HAT (or unit)which may be determined according to such mechanical load, suchmechanical energy, a weight of a user, and the like. For example, theHAT or its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may operate in a range ofpressure which may be less than about 130 atm, about 110 atm, about 90atm, or about 70 atm.

In another exemplary embodiment A-6 of this exemplary aspect A, a HATincluding one of such HATs may operate using mechanical energy providedby a user or mechanical energy supplied from an electrical motor. Moreparticularly, when the HAT may include a control unit, its shiftadjustor may be manipulated by mechanical energy provided by a user(e.g., manually by a user) or by mechanical energy (provided from abattery through an electrical motor). In addition, a user may operatethe HAT bicycle with mechanical energy provided to a pedal by a user.When the HAT bicycle includes an electrical motor and a battery, a usermay operate the HAT bicycle using such mechanical energy and usingmechanical energy which is provided from the electrical motor operatingon the battery. To this end, the HAT bicycle may include at least oneswitch which allows a user to select one of a “manual driving mode” andan “electrical driving mode” and to switch from one mode to another.

In another exemplary embodiment A-7 of this exemplary aspect A, a HATbicycle with a HAT may include a cruise controller which may work inconjunction with an electrical motor and a battery. Accordingly, when auser is tired of manually rotating a pedal to supply mechanical energythereto or when a user cannot keep up uphill to maintain a desiredspeed, a user may switch from a manual driving mode to an electricaldriving mode, where an electrical motor drives the HAT bicycle withoutuser's mechanical energy in such an electrical driving mode. To thisend, a cruise controller may include a cruise switch which can turn onor off the cruise controller, a speed setting switch with which a usermay select a driving speed, a reset switch with which a user may adjusta speed, and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment A-8 of this exemplary aspect A, when aHAT bicycle including one of such HATs includes a battery and anelectrical motor, the bicycle may include a prior art electricalgenerator, a prior art secondary battery, and the like. Therefore, whenthe battery is a rechargeable battery, the HAT bicycle may supply anelectrical current or electrical voltage to recharge the battery while auser is riding the bicycle. In addition, the bicycle may use electricalenergy from the generator or rechargeable battery in controlling variousvalves, pistons or switches of a control unit as described hereinaboveand hereinafter. It is appreciated that the rechargeable battery mayinclude a 1^(st) switch with which a user can turn such a battery on oroff, a 2^(nd) switch with which a user can provide a certain portion ofmechanical energy which he or she provides to the battery, and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment A-9 of this exemplary aspect A, a HATbicycle including one of the above HATs may include a “forward clutch.”It is appreciated that, when a user may rotate a pedal in a forwarddirection (i.e., a “forward rotation”) in a HAT bicycle wihch does notinclude any forward clutch, fluid is pressurized in a hydraulic pump bymechanical energy which is supplied by a user and flows to a hydraulicmotor. Therefore, the HAT bicycle may move in the forward direction.When a user rotates the pedal in an opposite, backward direction (i.e.,a “backward rotation”), however, the fluid may not move in the backwarddirection and, therefore, the HAT bicycle may not move at all. Incontrary, when a user rotates a pedal in the backward direction in a HATbicycle with the forward clutch, such a forward clutch may preventmechanical energy from being delivered to the hydraulic pump and,therefore, may allow a user to move a HAT bicycle in the forwarddirection. Such a forward clutch may be implemented into variouslocations of the HAT bicycle, where typical examples of the locationsmay include a driving axis of a hydraulic pump, a driving axis of ahydraulic motor, and the like.

Such a forward clutch may also be implemented to other locations of aHAT bicycle. In one example, the HAT bicycle may include at least onevalve in or along one of various (fluid) tubes of the bicycle, wheresuch a valve may allow a fluid to flow in one direction but may preventthe fluid flow in an opposite direction, and where examples of suchvalves may include a one-way valve, a check valve, and the like.Therefore, such a valve may function as the forward clutch as describedabove. In general, such a valve may be implemented into an inlet or anoutlet of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump), an inlet oroutlet of a hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor), and the like,and function as the aforementioned forward clutch.

In another exemplary embodiment A-10 of this exemplary aspect A, a HATbicycle with one of the above HATs may include at least one hydraulicbrake in various locations of the bicycle and use the brake to slow downor to stop the bicycle. In one example, the HAT bicycle may implement atleast one valve along at least one of various fluid tubes, along aninlet (or an outlet) of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump),along an inlet (or an outlet) of a hydraulic motor unit (or itshydraulic motor), and the like, and may utilize such a valve as thehydraulic brake, where examples of such valves may include a stop valve,a cock valve or other control valves capable of adjusting or blocking afluid flow therethrough. In another example, the HAT bicycle mayaccomplish such braking in other means and utilize such means as thehydraulic brake in such a way that, e.g., the HAT bicycle may rapidlydecrease fluid pressure in any portion of the HAT and may rapidly slowdown or stop itself by rapidly bypassing pressurized fluid to a fluidtank from a tube, from a hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, or from ahydraulic pump (or motor).

It is appreciated that almost all of various valves described in theabove embodiments are on-off valves or shut-off valves which maygenerally switch between an open position and a closed position andwhich may [1] allow fluid to flow therethrough or [2] stop such fluidflow. In contrary, a HAT bicycle may instead recruit various prior artcontrol valves instead of such on-off or shut-off valves and utilizesuch control valves as a hydraulic brake so that the control valves mayadjust (or control) a flow rate therethrough, where examples of suchcontrol valves may include a butterfly valve, a needle valve or otherconventional valves which may operate not only in an open or closedposition but also in at least one intermediate position. The HAT bicyclemay also enhance braking by employing not only a prior art mechanicalbrake but also the above hydraulic brake. The HAT bicycle may also [1]manipulate the mechanical and hydraulic brakes to work concurrently witheach other (e.g., when a user provides mechanical energy to one of suchbrakes, another brake also begins to work concurrently), or [2]manipulate one of such mechanical and hydraulic brakes to work first,and then manipulate another of such brakes to begin to work after acertain period of time. In addition, the HAT bicycle may configure suchbrakes to work concurrently or sequentially but in such a way that [1]both of such brakes may exert an identical or similar amount ofmechanical energy to slow down or to stop the HAT bicycle, or [2] one ofsuch brakes first begins to operate with a 1^(st) amount of mechanicalenergy, and then another of such brakes begins to operate with a 2^(nd)amount of mechanical energy which is greater than the 1^(st) amount.

In another exemplary embodiment A-11 of this exemplary aspect A, ahydraulic pump (or motor) unit of a HAT may recruit various types ofconventional pumps (or motors) such as, e.g., a vane pump (or motor), agear pump (or motor), a piston pump (or motor), a screw pump (or motor),and the like. The hydraulic pump unit and a hydraulic motor unit mayinclude an identical or similar type of a pump and a motor in such a waythat, e.g., [1] the hydraulic pump unit may include a vane pump, whilethe hydraulic motor unit may include a vane motor, [2] the hydraulicpump unit may include a gear pump, while the hydraulic motor unit mayinclude a gear motor, [3] the hydraulic pump unit may include avariable-volume vane pump, while the hydraulic motor unit may include afixed-volume vane pump, and the like. Conversely, the hydraulic pumpunit and the hydraulic motor unit may include a different type of a pumpand a motor such that, e.g., the hydraulic pump unit may include apiston pump, while the hydraulic motor unit may include a gear motor.

In another exemplary embodiment A-12 of this exemplary aspect A, atleast one of a hydraulic pump unit and a hydraulic motor unit mayinclude at least one variable-volume pump or motor of various types. Asa result, the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit mayrespectively include the variable-volume hydraulic pump and thevariable-volume hydraulic motor. Conversely, the hydraulic pump unit mayinclude a variable-volume hydraulic pump, while the hydraulic motor unitmay include a fixed-volume hydraulic motor. Alternatively, the hydraulicpump unit may include a fixed-volume hydraulic pump, while the hydraulicmotor unit may include a variable-volume hydraulic motor.

Other configurational or operational details of each of the aboveexemplary embodiments A-1 to A-12 of the exemplary aspect A may besimilar or identical to those of other exemplary embodiments of thisaspect A, or to those of other related exemplary embodiments of otheraspects of this disclosure to be provided below.

In another exemplary aspect B′ (i.e., an Aspect B′) of this disclosure,a HAT bicycle may include at least one hydraulic motor unit, at leastone hydraulic pump unit, and at least one control unit, therebyautomatically changing gear ratios in response to mechanical load whichis imposed by an external road condition. More particularly, thehydraulic motor unit may include at least one variable-volume (orfixed-volume) hydraulic motor each of which may apply mechanical energyonto fluid contained therein and to pressurize the fluid to the motorpressure in response to the mechanical load. The hydraulic pump unit mayinclude at least one variable-volume hydraulic pump which may beconfigured to apply mechanical energy onto fluid contained therein, topressurize the fluid to the pump pressure which may exceed the motorpressure, and then to discharge the pressurized fluid to the hydraulicmotor, where a fluid volume which is discharged from the hydraulic pumpunit (i.e., a discharging volume) may be manipulated or varied based onthe mechanical load, the motor pressure or the mechanical energy. A HAT(or a user) may provide the control unit with at least one (control)set-point, where the control unit may vary such a discharging volumebased on the set-point as well as based on at least one of themechanical load, the motor pressure, the mechanical energy applied by auser, the pump pressure, an rpm of the hydraulic motor unit (or an rpmof its driving part), or an rpm of other parts coupled to the hydraulicmotor unit, an rpm of the hydraulic motor (or an rpm of its drivingpart), as well as the set-point. Accordingly, the hydraulic motor unitmay take in the fluid in an amount of the variable discharging volumewhich is discharged from the hydraulic pump unit, and may pressurize thefluid as described above, whereby such different rpms of the hydraulicpump unit and hydraulic motor unit may embody such automatictransmission (e.g., automatic gear ratio changing).

In another exemplary aspect B″ (i.e., an Aspect B″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation or a modification of the above Aspect B′, a HATbicycle may include at least one hydraulic motor unit, at least onehydraulic pump unit, and at least one control unit, therebyautomatically changing gear ratios in response to at least one ofmechanical load imposed by an external road condition, an rpm of thehydraulic motor unit (or its driving part), and an rpm of another partcoupling with the hydraulic motor unit. More particularly, such ahydraulic motor unit may include at least one hydraulic motor, where thehydraulic motor may pressurize fluid contained therein to the motorpressure in response to such mechanical load. The hydraulic pump unitmay include at least one variable-volume hydraulic pump which maypressurize fluid contained therein to the pump pressure which exceedsthe motor pressure using the mechanical energy supplied by a user andmay discharge the pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor, where adischarging volume of such pressurized fluid may be variable and dependupon at least one of the mechanical load, the motor pressure, themechanical energy, an rpm of the hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulicmotor), an rpm of another part coupling with the hydraulic motor unit(or its hydraulic motor), and the like. The control unit may have its(control) set-point and may control such discharging volume based on atleast one of the mechanical load, the motor pressure, the mechanicalenergy, the pump pressure, an rpm of the hydraulic motor unit (or itshydraulic motor), and an rpm of another part coupling with the hydraulicmotor unit (or its hydraulic motor), as well as the set-point. Inaddition, at least one of the hydraulic motor unit, the hydraulic pumpunit, and the control unit may be directly or indirectly couple with abody of the HAT bicycle. Accordingly, the hydraulic motor unit may takein a variable volume of the pressurized fluid and operate itself,thereby accomplishing such automatic gear changes due to different rpmsof the hydraulic motor unit and the hydraulic pump unit.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect B collectively refers to such anAspect B′ as well as such an Aspect B″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect B are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment B-1 of this exemplary aspect B, a HATbicycle including one of such HATs may configure the above control unitsuch that a user may not adjust or change a (control) set-point (e.g., anon-adjustable control set-point) or that a user may adjust such a(control) set-point (e.g., an adjustable control set-point). In anotherexemplary embodiment B-2 of this exemplary aspect B, the hydraulic pump(or motor) unit, its hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HAT may beconfigured as a light-weight unit (or HAT), as a regular-weight unit (orHAT), or a heavy-weight unit (or HAT) in proportion to a weight of auser or a frame of the HAT bicycle, as described above.

In another exemplary embodiment B-3 of this exemplary aspect B, thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit, the hydraulic pump (or motor), or theHAT may be configured to have a size (e.g., its length or height) toform a large-sized unit (or HAT), a medium-sized unit (or HAT), or asmall-sized unit (or HAT), in proportion to a size (e.g., a length or aheight) of a user or a frame of the HAT bicycle. For example, thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit, its hydraulic pump (or motor), or theHAT may be shaped or sized in a certain size or percentage asexemplified in the exemplary embodiment A-2 of the exemplary Aspect A.Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment B-4 of this exemplaryaspect B, the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, the hydraulic pump (ormotor), or the HAT may define an internal or external volume which maybe classified into a high-volume unit (or HAT), a mid-volume unit (orHAT), or a low-volume unit (or HAT) based on various physical conditionsof a user or a mechanical load imposed by a road condition.Alternatively, the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, the hydraulic pump(or motor), or the HAT may instead be classified into a high-volumeratio unit (or HAT), a mid-volume ratio unit (or HAT), or a low-volumeratio unit (or HAT).

In another exemplary embodiment B-5 of this exemplary aspect B, a HATbicycle including one of the above HATs may configure a driving part ofits hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, of its hydraulic pump (or motor), orof its HAT to rotate in a high speed, in a medium speed, or in a lowspeed, based on such mechanical energy provided by a user, suchmechanical load imposed by a road condition, and the like. For example,an rpm of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, of the hydraulic pump (ormotor), or of the HAT may be similar or identical to those exemplifiedin the embodiment A-4 of the exemplary Aspect A. Alternatively and inanother exemplary embodiment B-6 of this exemplary aspect B, a HATbicycle including one of such various HATs may configure the hydraulicpump (or motor) unit, the hydraulic pump (or motor), or the HAT tooperate as a high-pressure unit (or HAT), a mid-pressure unit (or HAT)or a low-pressure unit (or HAT) based on fluid pressure inside such aunit (or HAT) or fluid pressure discharged out of the unit (or HAT), aweight of a user, such mechanical energy or such mechanical load.

In another exemplary embodiment B-7 of this exemplary aspect B, a HATbicycle as well as its HAT may be configured to operate with mechanicalenergy provided by a user or with mechanical energy supplied from atleast one battery through an electrical motor, where further details ofsuch a HAT bicycle or its HAT may be similar or identical to thoseexemplified in the embodiment A-6 of the exemplary Aspect A.Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment B-8 of this exemplaryaspect B, a HAT bicycle including one of the above HATs may include a“cruise controller” along with an electrical motor and a battery, wherefurther details of such a HAT and its cruise controller may be similaror identical to those exemplified in the embodiment A-7 of the exemplaryAspect A. Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment B-9 of thisexemplary aspect B, a HAT bicycle including one of such various HATs mayinclude an electrical motor and a battery or may also include anelectrical generator or a rechargeable battery.

In another exemplary embodiment B-10 of this exemplary aspect B, a HATbicycle including one of the HATs may also include one of a mechanicalforward clutch or a hydraulic forward clutch as previously exemplifiedin the embodiment A-9 of the exemplary Aspect A. Alternatively and inanother exemplary embodiment B-11 of this exemplary aspect B, a HATbicycle including one of such HATs may include at least one hydraulicbrake in various tubes, or in various inlets (or outlets) of the aboveunits or pumps (or motors), thereby slowing down or stopping the HATbicycle.

In another exemplary embodiment B-12 of this exemplary aspect B, ahydraulic pump (or motor) unit may include various types of pumps (ormotors), where further details of such pumps (or motors) may be similaror identical to those of the exemplary embodiment A-11 of the exemplaryAspect A. In addition, a HAT bicycle or its HAT of this exemplaryembodiment (as well as other embodiments) of this exemplary Aspect B mayinclude at least one variable-volume pump (or motor) in its hydraulicpump (or motor) unit.

Other configurational or operational details of each of the aboveexemplary embodiments B-1 to B-12 of the exemplary aspect B may besimilar or identical to those of other exemplary embodiments of thisaspect B, or to those of other related exemplary embodiments of otheraspects of this disclosure provided hereinabove or to be providedhereinafter.

In another exemplary aspect C′ (i.e., an Aspect C′) of this disclosure,a HAT may incorporate at least one hydraulic pump, at least onehydraulic motor, and at least one control unit, and may automaticallychange its gear ratios according to mechanical load exerted from anexterior. More particularly, the hydraulic motor may pressurize fluidcontained therein to the motor pressure according to the externalmechanical load. The hydraulic pump may be one of a variable-volume vanepump, a variable-volume gear pump, or a variable-volume piston pump,each of which may vary its driving volume such that, e.g., a volume offluid contained therein, a volume of fluid taken thereinto or dischargedtherefrom may vary, and the like. The hydraulic pump may pressurizefluid contained therein up to the pump pressure (which exceeds the motorpressure) with the mechanical energy, and then discharge the pressurizedfluid to the hydraulic motor. The control unit may define a (control)set-point, and manipulate (or adjust) such a driving volume of thehydraulic pump based on at least one of the mechanical load, the motorpressure, the mechanical energy, the pump pressure, an rpm of thehydraulic motor, or an rpm of another part coupling with the hydraulicmotor as well as based on the control set-point, thereby manipulating(or changing) a discharging volume from the hydraulic pump. As a result,the hydraulic motor takes in the pressurized fluid in a variable volume,and drives (or rotates) itself in an rpm which may be different from anrpm of the hydraulic pump, thereby automatically changing gear ratios.

In another exemplary aspect C″ (i.e., an Aspect C″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation or a modification of the above Aspect C′, a HATbicycle may include at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulicmotor, and at least one control unit, where a HAT of the HAT bicycle mayautomatically change its gear ratios based on at least one of mechanicalload exerted from an environment (e.g., an external rod condition), anrpm of its hydraulic motor, or an rpm of another part coupling with thehydraulic motor. More particularly, the hydraulic motor may pressurizefluid contained therein to the motor pressure according to themechanical load. The hydraulic pump may be a variable-volume vane pump,a variable-volume gear pump, or a variable-volume piston pump, each ofwhich has a driving volume which may vary. The hydraulic pump maypressurize fluid contained therein with the mechanical energy suppliedby a user to the pump pressure which exceeds the motor pressure, anddischarge such pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor. The controlunit may define a (control) set-point, and may vary a driving volume ofthe hydraulic pump based on at least one of the mechanical load, themotor (or pump) pressure, the energy, an rpm of the hydraulic motor, oran rpm of another part coupling with the hydraulic motor, as well asbased on the control set-point, thereby variably controlling thedischarging volume of the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic motor, thehydraulic pump, and the control unit may also be directly or indirectlycouple with a body of the HAT bicycle.

Accordingly, the hydraulic motor may take in the pressurized fluid fromthe hydraulic pump in a varying amount (or volume) and drive itself, andthe rpm of the hydraulic motor (or unit) may become different from anrpm of the hydraulic pump (or unit), thereby automatically changing gearratios while a user drives the HAT bicycle.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect C collectively refers to such anAspect C′ as well as such an Aspect C″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect C are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment C-1 of this exemplary aspect C, a controlunit may not allow a user to vary its (control) set-point (i.e., aninvariable or constant control set-point), or may allow a user to changesuch a (control) set-point (i.e., a variable control set-point).Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment C-2 of this exemplaryaspect C, a HAT bicycle may configure the hydraulic pump, the hydraulicmotor, or the HAT as a light-weight pump, motor, or HAT, a medium-weightpump, motor, or HAT or a heavy weight pump, motor, or HAT, in proportionto a weight of a user, that of a frame of a HAT bicycle, and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment C-3 of this exemplary aspect C, a HATbicycle may configure its hydraulic pump (or motor) or HAT to have asize (e.g., a length or a height) such as a large-sized pump (or motor)or HAT, as a medium-sized pump (or motor) or HAT, or as a small-sizedpump (or motor) or HAT, in proportion to a size (e.g., a length or aheight) of a user or a frame of a HAT bicycle or as a percentage of sucha size of the user or the frame. Alternatively and in another exemplaryembodiment C-4 of this exemplary aspect C, a HAT bicycle may configureits hydraulic pump (or motor) or its HAT to have an internal or externalvolume such as a large-volume (or large-volume ratio) pump (or motor) orHAT, a medium-volume (or medium-volume ratio) pump (or motor) or HAT, ora small-volume (or small-volume ratio) pump (or motor) or HAT, inproportion to a size (e.g., a length or a height) of a user or themechanical load exerted by a road condition.

In another exemplary embodiment C-5 of this exemplary aspect C, a HATbicycle may configure its hydraulic pump (or motor) or its HAT as ahigh-speed pump (or motor) or HAT, a medium-speed pump (or motor) orHAT, or a low-speed pump (or motor) or HAT, based on an rpm of such apump (or motor) or HAT attained by the mechanical energy or themechanical load. Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment C-6of this exemplary aspect C, a HAT bicycle may configure its hydraulicpump (or motor) or its HAT a high-pressure pump (or motor) or HAT, amedium-pressure pump (or motor) or HAT, or a low-pressure pump (ormotor) or HAT, based on the pressure of the fluid contained therein orthe pressure of the fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump (or motor)unit, from the hydraulic pump (or motor) or from the HAT, a weight of auser, the mechanical energy or the mechanical load.

In another exemplary embodiment C-7 of this exemplary aspect C, a HATmay be configured to operate with mechanical energy supplied by a useror with mechanical energy supplied from an electrical motor operating ona battery. A HAT bicycle with a HAT may similarly operate withmechanical energy supplied by a user or with mechanical energy suppliedfrom an electrical motor operating on a battery. Alternatively and inanother exemplary embodiment C-8 of this exemplary aspect C, a HATbicycle with a HAT may include a cruise controller along with anelectrical motor and a battery therefor. Alternatively and in anotherexemplary embodiment C-9 of this exemplary aspect C, a HAT bicycle witha HAT may also include an electrical motor and a battery, along with anoptional generator or a rechargeable battery.

In another exemplary embodiment C-10 of this exemplary aspect C, a HATbicycle with a HAT may include at least one forward clutch.Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment C-11 of this exemplaryaspect C, a HAT bicycle with a HAT may include at least one hydraulicbrake incorporated into various areas or locations thereof in order toslow down or stop the bicycle during operation.

In another exemplary embodiment C-12 of this exemplary aspect C, a HATmay include various pumps (or motors) in its hydraulic pump (or motor)unit. Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment C-13 of thisexemplary aspect C, a hydraulic pump unit or a hydraulic motor unit of aHAT may include at least one variable-volume pump or motor.

In another exemplary aspect D′ (i.e., an Aspect D′) of this disclosure,a HAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one vane pump, at least onehydraulic motor, and at least one control unit, and may automaticallychange gear ratios based on at least one of external mechanical loadexerted thereonto. More particularly, a hydraulic motor may pressurizefluid contained therein to the motor pressure according to the externalmechanical load. A vane pump may be disposed inside an outer cam ring,and may include a rotor which rotates about the driving axis and whichis movable. The vane pump may pressurize fluid contained therein withthe mechanical energy supplied by a user to the pump pressure exceedingthe motor pressure, and discharge to a hydraulic motor the pressurizedfluid in an amount which corresponds to a volume between the outer camring and the rotor. The control unit may define a (control) set-point,and may vary a discharging volume of the vane pump by manipulating adistance between a center of the outer cam ring and the driving axis ofthe vane pump, based on at least one of the mechanical load, the motor(or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, and an rpm of the vane motor,as well as based on the control set-point. Thus, the hydraulic motor maytake in the fluid discharged from the vane pump and automatically changegear ratios based on the difference between an rpm of the hydraulic pumpunit and an rpm of the hydraulic motor, where the hydraulic motor may beanother vane motor or of a different type.

In another exemplary aspect D″ (i.e., an Aspect D″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation or a modification of the above Aspect D′, a HAT ofa HAT bicycle may include at least one vane pump, at least one hydraulicmotor, and at least one control unit, and may automatically change gearratios based on at least one of external mechanical load exertedthereonto, an rpm of the hydraulic motor, and an rpm of another partcoupling with the hydraulic motor. In particular, a hydraulic motor maypressurize fluid contained therein to the motor pressure according tothe external mechanical load. A vane pump may be disposed inside anouter cam ring, and may include a rotor which rotates about the drivingaxis and which is movable. The vane pump may pressurize fluid containedtherein with the mechanical energy supplied by a user to the pumppressure exceeding the motor pressure, and discharge to a hydraulicmotor the pressurized fluid in an amount which corresponds to a volumebetween the outer cam ring and the rotor. The control unit may define a(control) set-point, and may vary a discharging volume of the vane pumpby manipulating a distance between the outer cam ring and the drivingaxis of the vane pump, based on at least one of the mechanical load, themotor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, an rpm of the vanemotor, and an rpm of at least one part coupling with the hydraulicmotor, as well as based on the control set-point. In addition, at leastone of the hydraulic motor, the vane pump, and the control unit may bedirectly or indirectly coupled to a frame of the HAT bicycle. Thus, thehydraulic motor may take in the fluid discharged from the vane pump andautomatically change gear ratios based on the difference between an rpmof the hydraulic pump unit and an rpm of the hydraulic motor, where thehydraulic motor may be another vane motor or of a different type.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect D collectively refers to such anAspect D′ as well as such an Aspect D″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect D are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment D-1 of this exemplary aspect D, a controlunit may not allow a user to vary its (control) set-point (i.e., aninvariable or constant control set-point), or may allow a user to changesuch a (control) set-point (i.e., a variable control set-point).Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment D-2 of this exemplaryaspect D, a HAT bicycle may configure the vane pump, the hydraulicmotor, or the HAT as a light-weight pump, motor, or HAT, a medium-weightpump, motor, or HAT or a heavy weight pump, motor, or HAT, in proportionto a weight of a user, that of a frame of a HAT bicycle, and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment D-3 of this exemplary aspect D, a HATbicycle may configure its vane pump, its hydraulic motor, or HAT to havea size (e.g., a length or a height) such as a large-sized pump, motor,or HAT, as a medium-sized pump, motor, or HAT, or as a small-sized pump,motor, or HAT, in proportion to a size (e.g., a length or a height) of auser or a frame of a HAT bicycle or as a percentage of such a size ofthe user or the frame.

In another exemplary embodiment D-4 of this exemplary aspect D, a HATbicycle may configure its vane pump, its hydraulic motor, or its HAT tohave an internal or external volume such as a large-volume (orlarge-volume ratio) pump, motor, or HAT, a medium-volume (ormedium-volume ratio) pump, motor, or HAT, or a small-volume (orsmall-volume ratio) pump, motor, or HAT, in proportion to a size (e.g.,a length or a height) of a user or the mechanical load exerted by a roadcondition. Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment D-5 of thisexemplary aspect D, a HAT bicycle may configure its vane pump, motor, orits HAT as a high-speed pump, motor, or HAT, a medium-speed pump, motor,or HAT, or a low-speed pump, motor, or HAT, based on an rpm of such apump, motor, or HAT attained by the mechanical energy or the mechanicalload.

In another exemplary embodiment D-6 of this exemplary aspect D, a HATbicycle may configure its vane pump, motor, or its HAT a high-pressurepump, motor, or HAT, a medium-pressure pump, motor, or HAT, or alow-pressure pump, motor, or HAT, based on the pressure of the fluidcontained in the pump, motor or HAT, the pressure of the fluid which isdischarged from such a pump, motor, or HAT, a weight of a user or aframe, the mechanical energy or the mechanical load. Alternatively andin another exemplary embodiment D-7 of this exemplary aspect D, a HATmay be configured to operate with mechanical energy supplied by a useror with mechanical energy supplied from an electrical motor operating ona battery or a generator. A HAT bicycle with a HAT may also operate withmechanical energy supplied by a user or with mechanical energy suppliedfrom an electrical motor operating on a battery or a generator.

In another exemplary embodiment D-8 of this exemplary aspect D, a HATmay be configured to operate with mechanical energy supplied by a useror with mechanical energy supplied from an electrical motor operating ona battery. A HAT bicycle with a HAT and a cruise controller maysimilarly operate with mechanical energy supplied by a user or withmechanical energy supplied from an electrical motor operating on abattery. In the alternative and in another exemplary embodiment D-9 ofthis exemplary aspect D, a HAT bicycle with a HAT may include a cruisecontroller along with an electrical motor and a battery therefor.

In another exemplary embodiment D-10 of this exemplary aspect D, a HATbicycle including one of such various HATs may include various forwardclutches. Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment D-11 of thisexemplary aspect D, a HAT bicycle including one of such various HATs mayinclude at least one mechanical or hydraulic brake to slow down or stopthe HAT bicycle, where such a brake may be included in various locationsalong a path of fluid as exemplified above.

In another exemplary embodiment D-12 of this exemplary aspect D, ahydraulic pump (or motor) unit of a HAT may include various pumps (ormotors) as exemplified above. Alternatively and in another exemplaryembodiment D-13 of this exemplary aspect D, at least one hydraulic pump(or motor) unit of a HAT may include a variable-volume pump (or motor).

In another exemplary aspect E′ (i.e., an Aspect E′) of this disclosure,a HAT bicycle may include at least one hydraulic pump unit, at least onehydraulic motor unit, and at least one controller unit, and mayautomatically change gear ratios in response to external mechanical loadexerted thereonto. More particularly, a hydraulic motor unit maypressurize fluid contained therein to the motor pressure based on theexternal mechanical load, and discharge the pressurized fluid to ahydraulic motor, where the discharged volume is referred to as a motordischarging volume. The hydraulic pump unit may also pressurize fluidcontained therein using mechanical energy provided by a user up to themotor pressure which exceeds the motor pressure and discharge thepressurized fluid to hydraulic motor unit, where the discharged volumeis referred to as a pump discharging volume. The control unit maycontrol at least one of the motor (or pump) pressure, the motordischarging volume, and the pump discharging volume. At least one of thehydraulic motor unit and the hydraulic pump unit may variably adjust itsdischarging volume based on at least one of the mechanical load, themotor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, an rpm of a drivingaxis of the hydraulic motor unit, an rpm of another part coupling withthe hydraulic motor unit, an rpm of a driving axis of the hydraulic pumpunit, and an rpm of yet another part coupling with the hydraulic pumpunit. Accordingly, an rpm of the hydraulic motor unit may becomedifferent from an rpm of the hydraulic pump unit, and the HAT bicyclecan automatically change gear ratios based on the discharging volume ofthe hydraulic motor and pump units.

In another exemplary aspect E″ (i.e., an Aspect E″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation of the above aspect E′, a HAT bicycle may includeat least one hydraulic pump unit, at least one hydraulic motor unit, andat least one control unit, and may automatically change gear ratiosbased on at least one of external mechanical load, an rpm of a drivingaxis of the hydraulic motor unit, an rpm of another part coupling withthe hydraulic motor unit, and the like.

More particularly, the hydraulic motor unit may pressurize fluidcontained therein to the motor pressure in response to the mechanicalload, and discharge the pressurized fluid in an amount corresponding tothe motor discharging volume. The hydraulic pump unit may alsopressurize fluid contained therein to the pump pressure which exceedsthe motor pressure using the mechanical energy supplied by a user, anddischarge the pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor unit in an amountcorresponding to the pump discharging volume. In another example, thecontrol unit may control at least one of the motor (or pump) pressure,the motor discharging volume, and the pump discharging volume. At leastone of the hydraulic motor unit and the hydraulic pump unit may variablyadjust its discharging volume based on at least one of the mechanicalload, the motor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, an rpm of adriving axis of the hydraulic motor unit, an rpm of another partcoupling with the hydraulic motor unit, an rpm of a driving axis of thehydraulic pump unit, and an rpm of yet another part coupling with thehydraulic pump unit. More particularly, the hydraulic motor unit, thehydraulic pump unit, and the control unit may couple with a frame of theHAT bicycle indirectly or directly. Accordingly, an rpm of the hydraulicmotor unit may become different from an rpm of the hydraulic pump unit,and the HAT bicycle can automatically change gear ratios based on thedischarging volume of the hydraulic motor unit and the hydraulic pumpunit.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect E collectively refers to such anAspect E′ as well as such an Aspect E″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect E are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment E-1 of this exemplary aspect E, a HATbicycle may configure its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, its hydraulicpump (or motor), or its HAT as a light-weight unit, pump (or motor), orHAT, as a regular-weight unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, or aheavy-weight unit, pump (or motor), or HAT based on a weight of a useror a frame of the HAT bicycle, as described above. In another exemplaryembodiment E-2 of this exemplary aspect E, a HAT bicycle may configureits hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, its hydraulic pump (or motor), orits HAT as a large-sized unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, a medium-sizedunit, pump (or motor), or HAT, or a small-sized unit, pump (or motor),or HAT, based on a size (e.g., a length or a height) of a user or aframe of the HAT bicycle or as a percentage thereof. In anotherexemplary embodiment E-3 of this exemplary aspect E, a HAT bicycle mayconfigure its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, its hydraulic pump (ormotor), or its HAT as a high-volume unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, amid-volume unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, or a low-volume unit, pump (ormotor), or HAT, based on various physical conditions of a user or amechanical load imposed by a road condition. Alternatively, thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit, the hydraulic pump (or motor), or theHAT may instead be classified into a high-volume ratio unit, pump (ormotor), or HAT, a mid-volume ratio unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, or alow-volume ratio unit, pump (or motor), or HAT.

In another exemplary embodiment E-4 of this exemplary aspect E, a HATbicycle may configure its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, its hydraulicpump (or motor), or its HAT to rotate in a high speed, in a mediumspeed, or in a low speed, based on such mechanical energy provided by auser, such mechanical load imposed by a road condition, and the like.Alternatively and in another exemplary embodiment E-5 of this exemplaryaspect E, a HAT bicycle may configure its hydraulic pump (or motor)unit, its hydraulic pump (or motor), or its HAT to operate as ahigh-pressure unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, a mid-pressure unit, pump(or motor), or HAT, or a low-pressure unit, pump (or motor), or HAT,based on fluid pressure inside such a unit, pump (or motor), or HAT,fluid pressure discharged out of the unit, pump (or motor), or HAT, aweight of a user, such mechanical energy or such mechanical load.

In another exemplary embodiment E-6 of this exemplary aspect E, a HATbicycle including such a HAT may be configured to operate withmechanical energy provided by a user or with mechanical energy suppliedfrom at least one electrical motor operating on a battery or agenerator. In another exemplary embodiment E-7 of this exemplary aspectE, a HAT bicycle including one of the above HATs may include a cruisecontroller along with an electrical motor and a battery. Alternativelyand in another exemplary embodiment E-8 of this exemplary aspect E, aHAT bicycle including one of such various HATs may include an electricalmotor and a battery or may also include an electrical generator or arechargeable battery.

In another exemplary embodiment E-9 of this exemplary aspect E, a HATbicycle including one of the HATs may include one of various mechanicalor hydraulic forward clutches. In another exemplary embodiment E-10 ofthis exemplary aspect E, a HAT bicycle including one of various HATs mayslow down or stop itself by incorporating at least one hydraulic brakein various tubes, or in various inlets (or outlets) of the above unitsor pumps (or motors). In another exemplary embodiment E-11 of thisexemplary aspect E, a HAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one ofvarious types of pumps (or motors) in the hydraulic pump (or motor)unit. In another exemplary embodiment E-12 of this exemplary aspect E,the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may include at least onevariable-volume pump (or motor).

In another exemplary aspect F′ (i.e., an Aspect F′) of this disclosure,a HAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one hydraulic pump, at leastone hydraulic motor, and at least one control unit, and may change gearratios automatically in response to external mechanical load which isexerted onto the HAT bicycle. More particularly, the hydraulic motor maypressurize fluid contained therein to the motor pressure based on themechanical load. The hydraulic pump may define an internal drivingvolume, pressurize fluid contained therein up to the pump pressure(which exceeds the motor pressure) by operating its driving part withthe mechanical energy supplied by a user, and discharge the pressurizedfluid to the hydraulic motor unit in an amount corresponding to thedriving volume (which may also correspond to the above pump dischargingvolume). The control unit may control the driving volume or thedischarging volume from the hydraulic pump (or motor), by performing atleast one of a linear (or translational) movement, a curved movement, ora rotational movement with respect to the driving part of the hydraulicpump (or motor) in synchronization with at least one of the mechanicalload, the motor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, an rpm of thehydraulic motor, or an rpm of another part coupling with the hydraulicmotor. Because the hydraulic motor may take in the pressurized fluiddischarged from the hydraulic pump, an rpm of the hydraulic motor maybecome different from an rpm of the hydraulic pump, and the HAT bicyclecan automatically change gear ratios.

In another exemplary aspect F″ (i.e., an Aspect F″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation of the above aspect F′, a HAT of a HAT bicycle mayinclude at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic motor, andat least one control unit, and may automatically change gear ratiosbased on at least one of mechanical load exerted by an external source(e.g., a road condition), an rpm of a driving axis of the hydraulicmotor, and an rpm of another part coupling with the hydraulic motor.More particularly, the hydraulic motor may pressurize fluid containedtherein to the motor pressure in response to the mechanical load. Thehydraulic pump may define an internal driving volume, pressurize fluidcontained therein up to the pump pressure (which exceeds the motorpressure) by operating its driving part with the mechanical energysupplied by a user, and discharge the pressurized fluid to the hydraulicmotor unit in an amount corresponding to the driving volume (which mayalso correspond to the above pump discharging volume). The control unitmay control the driving volume or the discharging volume from thehydraulic pump (or motor), by performing at least one of a linearmovement, a curved movement, or a rotational movement with respect tothe driving part of the hydraulic motor (or pump) in synchronizationwith at least one of the mechanical load, the motor (or pump) pressure,the mechanical energy, an rpm of the hydraulic motor, or an rpm ofanother part coupling with the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, thehydraulic pump, or the control unit may be directly or indirectly couplewith a frame of the HAT bicycle. Accordingly, the hydraulic motor maytake in the pressurized fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump, and anrpm of the hydraulic motor may become different from an rpm of thehydraulic pump. As a result, the HAT bicycle can automatically changegear ratios.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect F collectively refers to such anAspect F′ as well as such an Aspect F″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect F are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment F-1 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATbicycle may set the above control unit such that a user may not adjustor change a (control) set-point (e.g., a non-adjustable controlset-point) or that a user may adjust the (control) set-point (e.g., anadjustable control set-point). In another exemplary embodiment F-2 ofthis exemplary aspect F, a HAT bicycle may configure the hydraulic pump(or motor) or the HAT as a light-weight pump, motor, or HAT, as aregular-weight pump, motor, or HAT, or a heavy-weight pump, motor, orHAT, based upon a weight of a user or a frame of the HAT bicycle. Inanother exemplary embodiment F-3 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATbicycle may configure the hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HAT to have acertain size (e.g., a length, a height or a width) such as a large-sizedpump, motor, or HAT, a medium-sized pump, motor, or HAT, or asmall-sized pump, motor, or HAT, based on a size (e.g., a length or aheight) of a user or that of a frame of the HAT bicycle, or based onpercentages therebetween.

In another exemplary embodiment F-4 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATbicycle may configure the hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HAT to definean internal or external volume which may be classified into ahigh-volume pump, motor, or HAT, a mid-volume pump, motor, or HAT, or alow-volume pump, motor, or HAT based upon various physical conditions ofa user or a mechanical load imposed by a road condition. In thealternative, the hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HAT may be classifiedinto a high-volume ratio pump, motor, or HAT, a mid-volume ratio pump,motor, or HAT, or a low-volume ratio pump, motor, or HAT. In anotherexemplary embodiment F-5 of this exemplary aspect F, a HAT bicycle mayconfigure such driving parts of the hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HATto rotate in a high speed, in a medium speed, or in a low speed, basedon such mechanical energy provided by a user, or such mechanical loadimposed by a road condition.

In another exemplary embodiment F-6 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATbicycle may configure the hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HAT tooperate as a high-pressure pump, motor, or HAT, a mid-pressure pump,motor, or HAT, or a low-pressure pump, motor, or HAT, based on fluidpressure inside such a pump, motor, or HAT, fluid pressure dischargedout of the pump, motor, or HAT, a weight of a user, such mechanicalenergy or such mechanical load. In another exemplary embodiment F-7 ofthis exemplary aspect F, a HAT may operate with the mechanical energyprovided by a user or with mechanical energy supplied from at least oneelectrical motor operating on a battery or a generator. In addition, theHAT bicycle including one of the above HATs may also operate with themechanical energy from a user or the mechanical energy from anelectrical motor.

In another exemplary embodiment F-8 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATmay operate with the mechanical energy provided by a user or withmechanical energy supplied from at least one electrical motor operatingon a battery. In addition, the HAT bicycle including one of such HATsmay operate with at least one of such energies. In another exemplaryembodiment F-9 of this exemplary aspect F, a HAT bicycle including oneof the above HATs may include a cruise controller along with anelectrical motor and a battery

In another exemplary embodiment F-10 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATbicycle including one of the HATs may include one of various mechanicalor hydraulic forward clutches. In another exemplary embodiment F-11 ofthis exemplary aspect F, a HAT bicycle including one of various HATs mayslow down or stop itself by incorporating at least one hydraulic brakein various locations such as, e.g., in one of such tubes, in variousinlets (or outlets) of such pumps (or motors), and, the like.

In another exemplary embodiment F-12 of this exemplary aspect F, a HATbicycle may include at least one of various types of pumps and at leastone of various types of motors as its hydraulic pump and its hydraulicmotor. In another exemplary embodiment F-13 of this exemplary aspect F,at least one of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor may includeat least one variable-volume pump or motor.

Other configurational or operational details of such HAT bicycles ortheir HATs of such exemplary aspects A to F may be similar or identicalto those of such HAT bicycles or HATs of other exemplary embodiments ofthe same aspect or those of the HAT bicycles or HATs of other exemplaryembodiments of different aspects. Variations or modifications of suchconfigurations or operations of such HAT bicycles or their HATs of suchexemplary aspects A to F may further be similar or identical to those ofsuch HAT bicycles or their HATs of other exemplary aspects describedhereinabove or to be explained hereinafter. In addition, at least aportion of such configurations or operations of such HAT bicycles ortheir HATs of such exemplary aspects A to F may replace, may be replacedby, may be combined into, or may be used with at least another portionof such HAT bicycles or their HATs of other exemplary aspects describedhereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

In another exemplary aspect H′ (i.e., an Aspect H′) of this disclosure,a HAT bicycle may include at least one frame and at least one HAT asdescribed hereinabove. The frame may be shaped and sized to couple withat least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, where the frontwheel rotates about its axis of rotation, where the rear wheel rotatesabout its axis of rotation, and where the frame may also include atleast two pedals which may be rotated about its axis of rotation by auser. The HAT may include at least one hydraulic pump, at least onehydraulic motor, and at least one control unit, and may automaticallychange gear ratios in response to external mechanical load. Moreparticularly, the hydraulic motor may include a driving axis and adriving part, where the motor driving part may pressurize fluidcontained in the hydraulic motor to the motor pressure by rotating aboutan axis of the motor driving part based on the mechanical load, andwhere the hydraulic motor may discharge the pressurized fluid in anamount of a motor discharging volume. The hydraulic pump may include adriving axis and a driving part, where the pump driving part maypressurize fluid contained in the hydraulic pump up to the pump pressure(which exceeds the motor pressure) by rotating about an axis of the pumpdriving part with the mechanical energy supplied by a user or withmechanical energy provided by an electrical motor operating on abattery, and may discharge the pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motorin an amount which is a pump discharging volume. The control unit maycontrol the motor pressure, the pump pressure, or the discharging volumedischarged from the hydraulic pump or from the hydraulic motor. Thehydraulic motor or the hydraulic pump may variably adjust itsdischarging volume based on at least one of the mechanical load, themotor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, and an rpm of thedriving axis of the hydraulic motor. Accordingly, the hydraulic motormay take in the pressurized fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump,and an rpm of the hydraulic motor may become different from an rpm ofthe hydraulic pump. As a result, the HAT bicycle can automaticallychange gear ratios.

In another exemplary aspect H″ (i.e., an Aspect H″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation of the above aspect H′, a HAT bicycle may alsoinclude at least one frame and at least one of various HATs as describedhereinabove or as will be described hereinafter. The frame may be shapedand sized to couple with at least one front wheel and at least one rearwheel, where the front wheel rotates about its axis of rotation, wherethe rear wheel rotates about its axis of rotation, where the frame mayalso include at least two pedals which may be rotated about its axis ofrotation in response to the mechanical energy supplied thereto by auser, and where one of the axes of rotation of the front wheel and therear wheel may correspond to a driving axis of the HAT bicycle. Inaddition, the HAT may change gear ratios by variably adjusting an rpm ofthe driving axis of the HAT bicycle in response to the mechanical load,and may include a cover into which at least 50% of a volume of the HATmay be incorporated.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect H collectively refers to such anAspect H′ as well as such an Aspect H″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect H are as follows.

In one exemplary embodiment H-1 of this exemplary aspect H, the HAT mayinclude at least one cover, where such a cover may include or encompasstherein at least 50% of a volume of the hydraulic pump, at least 50% ofa long axis of the hydraulic pump, at least 50% of a volume of thehydraulic motor, or at least 50% of a long axis of the hydraulic motor,thereby protecting the hydraulic pump or the hydraulic motor fromexternal shocks or impacts. In one example, a length of the cover may beless than about 75% of the long axis of the frame. The HAT may includemultiple tubes therein, where the cover may include therein at least 50%of a total internal or external volume of such tubes, at least 50% of atotal length of such tubes, and the like, thereby protecting such tubesfrom external impacts or shocks. The cover may also include at leastsubstantial (or entire) portions of the hydraulic pump (or motor),thereby protecting the hydraulic pump (or motor) from external shocks orimpacts.

The HAT may include at least one hydraulic pump and at least onehydraulic motor, where the hydraulic motor may define a driving axis andinclude a motor driving part. The motor driving part may rotate aboutits driving axis for pressurizing fluid contained therein to the motorpressure, and discharge the fluid therefrom in an amount of the motordischarging volume in response to the mechanical load. The hydraulicpump may define a pump driving axis and include a pump driving part,where the pump driving part may rotate about the pump driving axis inresponse to the mechanical energy, while pressurizing fluid containedtherein to the pump pressure which exceeds the motor pressure, and wherethe pump driving part may discharge the fluid to the hydraulic motor inan amount of the pump discharging volume. At least one of the hydraulicmotor and the hydraulic pump may variably adjust its discharging volumebased on at least one of the mechanical load, the motor (or pump)pressure, the mechanical energy, and an rpm of the driving axis of thehydraulic motor. The HAT may then automatically change such gear ratiosbased upon a difference between an rpm of the hydraulic motor andanother rpm of the hydraulic pump which may in turn be determined by themotor discharging volume and the pump discharging volume.

The hydraulic pump may be a vane pump, a gear pump, or a piston pump,while the hydraulic motor may be a vane motor, a gear motor, or a pistonmotor. The hydraulic pump may also be a variable-volume hydraulic pump,and the hydraulic motor may be one of a fixed-volume hydraulic motor ora variable-volume hydraulic motor. Conversely, the hydraulic pump may beone of a fixed-volume hydraulic pump or a variable-volume hydraulicpump, while the hydraulic motor may be a variable-volume hydraulicmotor. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor may be aligned in adirection of a long axis of a frame of the HAT bicycle or may instead bealigned transverse to the long axis of the frame. The HAT may include atleast one control unit which control the motor pressure, the pumppressure, or the discharging volume discharged from the hydraulic pumpor from the hydraulic motor based on at least one of the mechanicalload, the motor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, and an rpm ofthe driving axis of the hydraulic motor. Therefore, a user maymanipulate the control unit to manually control the discharging volumeof the hydraulic motor (or pump) or an extent of such automatic gearshifting (or changing).

In one exemplary embodiment H-2 of this exemplary aspect H, a HATbicycle may configure the driving axis of the hydraulic pump to be thepedal axis, where the HAT bicycle may include at least one chain whichmechanically couples the driving axis of the hydraulic motor with therotation axis of the rear wheel. In another exemplary embodiment H-3 ofthis exemplary aspect H, a HAT bicycle may configure the driving axis ofthe hydraulic motor to be the rotation axis of the rear wheel, where theHAT bicycle may include at least one chain which mechanically couplesthe driving axis of the hydraulic pump with the pedal axis.

In another exemplary embodiment H-4 of this exemplary aspect H, a HATbicycle may configure its HAT to have a length which may be less thanabout 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of a length of the frame of theHAT bicycle. In another exemplary embodiment H-5 of this exemplaryaspect H, a HAT bicycle may also be configured to have a length whichmay be less than about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of a distancefrom the rotation axis of the front wheel to the rotation axis of therear wheel.

In another exemplary embodiment H-6 of this exemplary aspect H, thecontrol unit may define at least one (control) set-point, and mayvariably control the discharging volume discharged from the hydraulicpump (or motor) based on the (control) set-point as well as based on atleast one of the mechanical load, the motor (or pump) pressure, and themechanical energy. The HAT bicycle may also allow a user to adjust the(control) set-point when desirable.

Each of various hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors or HATs of thisexemplary aspect H may be configured to have the weight, the size (e.g.,a height, a length, or a width), the internal (or external) volume, therpm, the driving (or discharging) volume, the internal pressure, or thepressure of the fluid discharged therefrom, each of which may be similaror identical to that of other exemplary aspects as described above or tobe explained hereinafter. In addition, various types of such hydraulicpumps or hydraulic motors, inclusion of at least one variable-volumepump (or motor), inclusion of the shift adjustor, or the configurationor operational mechanism of the shift adjustor may be similar oridentical to those of other exemplary aspects described above or to beexplained below. Various HAT bicycles of this aspect H may also includeat least one of such forward clutches or such hydraulic brakes, wheresuch bicycles may operate with the mechanical energy supplied by a useror with mechanical energy supplied by an electrical motor operating on abattery.

In another exemplary aspect I′ (i.e., an Aspect I′) of this disclosure,a HAT bicycle may include at least one frame and at least one of suchHATs. The frame may be shaped and sized to couple with at least onefront wheel and at least one rear wheel, where the front wheel mayrotate about its rotation axis, where the rear wheel may rotate aboutits rotation axis, and where the frame may also include at least twopedals which may be rotated about its axis of rotation by a user. TheHAT may include at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulicmotor, and at least one control unit, and may automatically change gearratios in response to external mechanical load. More particularly, thehydraulic motor may pressurize fluid contained therein to the motorpressure up to the motor pressure in response to the mechanical load.The hydraulic pump may include a driving part and a driving volume,where the hydraulic pump may operate the driving part with themechanical energy supplied by a user or with mechanical energy providedby an electrical motor operating on a battery, while pressurizing fluidcontained therein to the pump pressure (which exceeds the motorpressure), and where the hydraulic pump may discharge the pressurizedfluid to the hydraulic motor in an amount which is a pump drivingvolume. The control unit may control the driving volume or thedischarging volume from the hydraulic pump (or motor), by performing atleast one of a linear movement, a curved movement, or a rotationalmovement with respect to the driving part of the hydraulic pump (ormotor) in synchronization with at least one of the mechanical load, themotor (or pump) pressure, and the mechanical energy. Because thehydraulic motor may take in a variable volume of the pressurized fluiddischarged from the hydraulic pump, an rpm of the hydraulic motor maybecome different from an rpm of the hydraulic pump, and the HAT bicyclecan automatically change gear ratios.

In another exemplary aspect I″ (i.e., an Aspect I″) of this disclosurewhich is a variation of the above aspect I′, a HAT bicycle may includeat least one frame and at least one of various HATs as describedhereinabove or as will be described hereinafter. The frame may be shapedand sized to couple with at least one front wheel and at least one rearwheel, where the front wheel may rotate about its rotation axis, wherethe rear wheel may rotate about its rotation axis, where the frame mayinclude at least two pedals which may be rotated about its rotation axisbased on the mechanical energy supplied thereto by a user. The HAT mayinclude at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic motor, andat least one control unit, and may also automatically change gear ratiosin response to external mechanical load. More particularly, thehydraulic motor may include a motor driving axis and a motor drivingpart. The motor driving part may pressurize fluid contained therein tothe motor pressure in response to the mechanical load by rotating aboutthe motor axis, and may discharge the pressurized fluid in an amount ofthe motor discharging volume. The hydraulic pump may include a pumpdriving axis and a pump driving part, where the pump driving part mayrotate about the motor driving axis with the mechanical energy suppliedby a user, while pressurizing fluid contained therein to the pumppressure (which exceeds the motor pressure), and may discharge thepressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor in an amount which is a pumpdriving volume. The control unit may control the motor pressure, thepump pressure, or the discharging volume discharged from the hydraulicpump or from the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor or the hydraulicpump may variably adjust its discharging volume based on at least one ofthe mechanical load, the motor (or pump) pressure, the mechanicalenergy, and an rpm of the motor driving axis. Accordingly, the hydraulicmotor may take in the pressurized fluid discharged from the hydraulicpump, and an rpm of the hydraulic motor may become different from an rpmof the hydraulic pump. As a result, the HAT bicycle can automaticallychange gear ratios.

As defined herein, an exemplary aspect I collectively refers to such anAspect I′ as well as such an Aspect I″, and various embodiments of suchan aspect I are as follows. In one example, the HAT may include at leastone cover, where such a cover may include or encompass therein at least50% of a volume of the hydraulic pump, at least 50% of a long axis ofthe hydraulic pump, at least 50% of a volume of the hydraulic motor, orat least 50% of a long axis of the hydraulic motor, thereby protectingthe hydraulic pump or the hydraulic motor from external shocks orimpacts. In another example, the HAT may include multiple tubes therein,where the cover may include therein at least 50% of a total internal orexternal volume of such tubes, at least 50% of a total length of suchtubes, and the like, thereby protecting such tubes from external impactsor shocks. In addition, a length of the HAT may be less than about 75%of a length of a frame or about 75% of a distance between the rotationaxis of the front wheel and the rotation of the rear wheel. The controlunit may define a (control) set-point and may variably control thedischarging volume of fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump (ormotor) based on at least one of the mechanical load, the motor (or pump)pressure, and the mechanical energy. The HAT bicycle may also allow auser to manually adjust the (control) set-point.

In one exemplary embodiment I-1 of this exemplary aspect I, a HAT mayinclude at least one cover which is similar or identical to that of theexemplary aspect H. In another exemplary embodiment I-2 of thisexemplary aspect I, a HAT bicycle may configure the driving axis of thehydraulic pump (i.e., the pump driving axis) to be similar or identicalto such an axis of the exemplary aspect H. In another exemplaryembodiment I-3 of this exemplary aspect I, a HAT bicycle may configurethe driving axis of the hydraulic motor (i.e., the motor driving axis)to be similar or identical to that of the exemplary aspect H. In anotherexemplary embodiment I-4 of this exemplary aspect I, a HAT bicycle mayconfigure a length of the HAT as a certain percentage of the length ofthe frame, similar or identical to that of the exemplary embodiment H-4of the exemplary aspect H. In another exemplary embodiment I-5 of thisexemplary aspect I, a HAT bicycle may configure a length of the HAT as acertain percentage of the distance between the driving axis of the frontwheel and the driving axis of the rear wheel, similar or identical tothat of the embodiment H-5 of the exemplary aspect H.

In another exemplary embodiment I-6 of this exemplary aspect I, acontrol unit of a HAT bicycle may have a (control) set-point, and mayalso variably control the discharging volume of the hydraulic pump (ormotor) based upon the set-point as well as based upon at least one ofthe mechanical load, the motor (or pump) pressure, and the mechanicalenergy. The control unit may allow a user to manually or electricallyadjust the (control) set-point.

Each of various hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors or HATs of thisexemplary aspect I may be configured to have the weight, the size (e.g.,a height, a length, or a width), the internal (or external) volume, therpm, the driving (or discharging) volume, the pressure therein, or thepressure of the fluid discharged therefrom, each of which may be similaror identical to that of other exemplary aspects described above or to beexplained below. Various types of such hydraulic pumps or hydraulicmotors, inclusion of at least one variable-volume pump (or motor),inclusion of the shift adjustor, or the configuration or operationalmechanism of such a shift adjustor may be similar or identical to thoseof other exemplary aspects described above or to be explained below.Various HAT bicycles of this aspect I may also include at least one ofsuch forward clutches, and at least one of such hydraulic brakes, wheresuch bicycles may operate with the mechanical energy supplied by a useror with mechanical energy supplied by an electrical motor operating on abattery.

In another exemplary aspect J (i.e., an Aspect J) of this disclosure, aHAT bicycle may include at least one frame and at least one of variousHATs as described hereinabove or as will be described hereinafter. Theframe may be shaped and sized to couple with at least one front wheeland at least one rear wheel, where the front wheel may rotate about itsrotation axis, and where the rear wheel may rotate about its rotationaxis. The HAT bicycle may also be shaped or sized to receive a pedalaxis which may receive mechanical energy supplied by a user or mayreceive mechanical energy supplied by an electrical motor operating on abattery. In addition, the HAT bicycle may define a driving axis whichmay be one of a rotation axis of the front wheel and another rotationaxis of the rear wheel. The HAT may automatically change gear ratios byvarying an rpm of its driving axis using the mechanical energy and inresponse to the external mechanical load. The HAT bicycle may alsoinclude at least one cover which may include or encompass therein atleast one half of an internal or external volume of the HAT, at leastone half of a length of a long axis of the HAT, and the like, or whichmay have a length which may be less than about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%,or 100% of a long axis of a frame of the HAT bicycle.

In one exemplary embodiment J-1 of this exemplary aspect J, a HAT of aHAT bicycle may include at least hydraulic pump and at least onehydraulic motor, where the hydraulic motor may include a driving axis(i.e., a motor driving axis) and a driving part (i.e., a motor drivingpart). The motor driving part may rotate about the motor driving axis inresponse the mechanical load, whereby the motor driving part maypressurize fluid contained therein to the motor pressure and dischargethe pressurized fluid in a certain amount (i.e., a motor dischargingvolume). The hydraulic pump may include a driving axis (i.e., a pumpdriving axis) and a driving part (i.e., a pump driving part). The pumpdriving part may rotate about the pump driving axis in response to themechanical energy supplied by a user (or mechanical energy supplied by amotor operating on a battery), whereby such a pump driving part maypressurize fluid contained therein to the pump pressure (which exceedsthe motor pressure), and may discharge the pressurized fluid to thehydraulic motor in a certain amount (i.e., a pump discharging volume).In addition, at least one of the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pumpmay variably adjust its motor discharging volume or pump dischargingvolume, respectively, based on at least one of the mechanical load, themotor (or pump) pressure, the mechanical energy, and an rpm of thehydraulic motor. Accordingly, the HAT may automatically change gearratios by manipulating an rpm of the hydraulic motor and another rpm ofthe hydraulic pump, where such rpms may be determined by the motor (orpump) discharging volume.

In another exemplary embodiment J-2 of this exemplary aspect J, a HAT ofa HAT bicycle may also include at least one control unit which mayvariably manipulate at least one of the motor (or pump) pressure, thepump discharging volume, and the motor discharging volume, based on atleast one of the mechanical load, the pump (or motor) pressure, themechanical energy, and an rpm of the hydraulic motor.

Each of various hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors or HATs of thisexemplary aspect J may be configured to have the weight, the size (e.g.,a height, a length, or a width), the internal (or external) volume, therpm, the driving (or discharging) volume, the pressure therein, or thepressure of the fluid discharged therefrom, each of which may be similaror identical to that of other exemplary aspects described above or to beexplained below. Various types of such hydraulic pumps or hydraulicmotors, inclusion of at least one variable-volume pump or motor,inclusion of the shift adjustor, or the configuration or operationalmechanism of such a shift adjustor may also be similar or identical tothose of other exemplary aspects described hereinabove or to beexplained hereinafter. Various HAT bicycles of this aspect J may includeat least one of the forward clutches, and at least one of the hydraulicbrakes, where such HAT bicycles may operate with the mechanical energysupplied by a user or with mechanical energy supplied by an electricalmotor operating on a battery.

In another exemplary aspect K (i.e., an Aspect K) of this disclosure, aHAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one hydraulic pump, at leasthydraulic motor, and at least one control unit, and may automaticallychange the gear ratios in response to external mechanical load imposedthereonto. The hydraulic motor may pressurize fluid contained therein tothe motor pressure in response to the mechanical load. The hydraulicpump may pressurize fluid contained therein to the pump pressure (whichexceeds the motor pressure) using the mechanical energy supplied by auser and may discharge such pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor.More particularly, the hydraulic pump may be configured to have avariable driving volume (La, a pump driving volume) and may discharge avariable volume of the pressurized fluid (i.e., a pump dischargingvolume) to the hydraulic motor. The control unit may define a (control)set-point which may be adjusted by a user, and may variably manipulatethe pump driving volume based on the (control) set-point as well asbased on at least one of the mechanical load, the pump (or motor)pressure, and the mechanical energy, thereby also variably manipulatingthe pump discharging volume. Because the hydraulic motor may take in thepressurized fluid which is discharged from the hydraulic pump in thevariable pump discharging volume, an rpm of the hydraulic motor maybecome different from an rpm of the hydraulic pump and, therefore, auser may variably change the gear ratios (or may select one of multiplevariable gear ratios) either directly or indirectly.

In one exemplary embodiment K-1 of this exemplary aspect K, a hydraulicpump may be one of a variable-volume vane pump, a variable-volume gearpump, or a variable-volume piston pump. In another exemplary embodimentK-2 of this exemplary aspect K, a hydraulic motor may be one of avariable-volume hydraulic motor, and a fixed-volume hydraulic motor.

Each of various hydraulic pumps, hydraulic motors or HATs of thisexemplary aspect K may be configured to have the weight, the size (e.g.,a height, a length, or a width), the internal (or external) volume, therpm, the driving (or discharging) volume, the pressure therein, or thepressure of the fluid discharged therefrom, each of which may be similaror identical to that of other exemplary aspects described above or to beexplained below. Various types of such hydraulic pumps or hydraulicmotors, inclusion of at least one variable-volume pump (or motor),inclusion of the shift adjustor, or the configuration or operationalmechanism of such a shift adjustor may be similar or identical to thoseof other exemplary aspects described above or to be explained below.Various HAT bicycles of this aspect K may also include at least one ofsuch forward clutches, and at least one of such hydraulic brakes, wheresuch bicycles may operate with the mechanical energy supplied by a useror with mechanical energy supplied by an electrical motor operating on abattery or a generator.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of variousembodiments of the HAT bicycles or the HATs of each exemplary aspect Hto K may be similar or identical to those corresponding embodiments ofothers of the aspects H to K, or may be similar or identical to otherembodiments of other aspects described above or to be explained below.In addition, variations or modifications of various embodiments of theHAT bicycles or their HATs of the exemplary aspects H to K may besimilar or identical to those variations or modifications of otheraspects described above or to be explained below. At least a portion ofsuch configurations or operations of such HAT bicycles or their HATs ofthe exemplary aspects H to K may also replace, may be replaced by, maybe combined into, or may be used with at least another portion of suchHAT bicycles or their HATs of other exemplary aspects described above orto be explained below.

In another exemplary aspect P (i.e., an Aspect P) for various HATbicycles of this disclosure, a method may provide various benefits to auser and may include the steps of: determining a pump pressure of fluidto be discharged out of a hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump)based on mechanical load exerted from an external source such as a roadcondition (e.g., a pressure determination step); driving the hydraulicpump unit (or its pump) at a pump rpm and pressurizing the fluidcontained therein to the pump pressure (e.g., a pressurizing step);automatically varying a driving volume of the hydraulic pump accordingto discharging pressure from the hydraulic pump and delivering avariable discharging volume to the hydraulic motor (e.g., a dischargingcontrolling step); changing gear ratios by generating power and drivingthe hydraulic motor with the power at a motor rpm determined by thedischarging volume of the hydraulic pump (e.g., a step of changing gearratios); and allowing a user to select one of a first control set-pointfor an extent of such changing gear ratios and a second controlset-point for a response time for such changing a gear ratio in responseto changes in such mechanical load (e.g., a user control step).

Various exemplary embodiments of various methods exemplified in theAspect P may include the following. The pressurizing step may includethe step of increasing the discharging pressure from the hydraulic pumpin proportion to an increase in the mechanical load. The dischargingcontrolling step may include the step of controlling the dischargingpressure from the hydraulic pump inversely proportional to the drivingvolume of the hydraulic pump. The discharging controlling step may alsoinclude the step of including at least one of a variable-volume vanepump, a variable-volume gear pump, and a variable-volume piston pump assuch a hydraulic pump. The step of changing gear ratios may include thestep of including at least one of a variable-volume hydraulic motor anda fixed-volume hydraulic motor as the hydraulic motor.

The step of changing gear ratios may include one of the steps of:automatically determining an rpm of the hydraulic motor based on suchdischarging volume of the discharging volume of the hydraulic pump; andautomatically determining an rpm of the hydraulic motor according to oneof the discharging volume of the hydraulic pump and such mechanicalload. In addition, the method may include the step of incorporating atleast 50% of the hydraulic pump and at least 50% of the hydraulic motorinside a cover of the HAT (e.g., a consolidating step). Moreparticularly, the method may include a first aligning step of aligningthe hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor along their long axes andthen hydraulically coupling each other, or may include a second aligningstep of aligning the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor in adirection which is transverse to their long axes and then hydraulicallycoupling each other. The user control step may include the step ofcontrolling at least one of the first control set-point and the secondcontrol set-point while a user operates the hydraulic pump.

In another exemplary aspect Q (i.e., an Aspect Q) for various HATbicycles of this disclosure, a method may protect a HAT bicycle or itsHAT from external shock (or impact) and may include the steps of:pressurizing fluid contained in a hydraulic pump, by driving a hydraulicpump according to mechanical load exerted by an external source (e.g., aroad condition) and then delivering a variable volume of the pressurizedfluid to a hydraulic motor while controlling a driving volume of thehydraulic pump according to the pressure of the fluid discharged fromthe hydraulic pump (e.g., a step of pump discharging control);generating mechanical energy by driving the hydraulic motor at a motorrpm with the pressurized fluid delivered from the hydraulic pump andchanging gear ratios determined by the rpm of the hydraulic motor andthat of the hydraulic pump (e.g., a step of controlling gear ratios);and protecting the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor from anexternal impact or shock by incorporating at least 50% of a volume ofeach of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor inside a cover of theHAT bicycle (e.g., a protecting step).

Various exemplary embodiments of various methods exemplified in theAspect Q may include the following. The step of pump discharging controlmay include one of the steps of: increasing the pressure of the fluidwhich is discharged from the hydraulic pump as the mechanical loadincreases; and controlling the pressure of the fluid discharged by thehydraulic pump inversely proportional to a driving volume of hydraulicpump. The step of pump discharging control may also include the step ofconfiguring the hydraulic pump as one of a variable-volume vane pump, avariable-volume gear pump, and variable-volume piston pump, while thestep of controlling gear ratios may include the step of configuring thehydraulic motor as one of a variable-volume hydraulic motor and afixed-volume hydraulic motor.

In addition, the step of controlling gear ratios may include one of thesteps of: automatically determining an rpm of the hydraulic motor basedon the discharging volume of the fluid discharged from the hydraulicpump; and determining a variable rpm of the hydraulic motor based on thedischarging volume or the mechanical load. The method may include one ofthird aligning steps of: aligning the hydraulic pump and the hydraulicmotor along a common long axis one after another and hydraulicallycoupling each other; and aligning the hydraulic pump and the hydraulicmotor in a direction transverse to their long axes and hydraulicallycoupling each other. The method may also include a user control step ofallowing a user to select one of a first control set-point for an extentof such changing gear ratios and a second control set-point for aresponse time for such changing a gear ratio in response to changes insuch mechanical load.

Other operational details of such exemplary embodiments of the exemplaryaspect P and exemplary aspect Q may be similar or identical to theircorresponding exemplary embodiments, or to those of other relatedexemplary embodiments (including their modifications or theirvariations) of other aspects of this disclosure provided hereinabove orto be provided hereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of suchconfigurations or operations of such HAT bicycles or their HATs of theexemplary aspects P and Q may also replace, may be replaced by, may becombined into, or may be used with at least another portion of such HATbicycles or their HATs of other exemplary aspects described above or tobe explained below.

In another exemplary aspect R (i.e., an Aspect R) for various HATbicycles of this disclosure, a method may provide a HAT bicycle whichmay allow a user with hydraulic and infinitely variable gear ratios. Themethod may include the steps of: synchronizing mechanical load from anexternal source with a hydraulic motor so as to pressurize fluidcontained in the hydraulic motor to a motor pressure (e.g., a loadsynchronizing step); synchronizing energy mechanically supplied by auser or mechanical by an electrical motor operating on a battery with ahydraulic pup in order to pressurize fluid contained in the hydraulicpump to a pump pressure which exceeds the pump pressure (e.g., apressure synchronizing step); discharging the pressurized fluid from thehydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor in an amount of a pump dischargingvolume (e.g., a pump discharging step); and taking in the pressurizedfluid discharged from the hydraulic pump by the hydraulic motor and thenrotating a motor driving axis of the hydraulic motor while dischargingthe pressurized fluid from the hydraulic motor in an amount of a motordischarging volume (e.g., a driving step). The method may include atleast one of the steps of: manipulating at least one of the mechanicalload, the motor pressure, the pump pressure, and the mechanical energy(e.g., a user manipulating step); variably manipulating at least one ofa first driving volume of the hydraulic motor (i.e., a motor drivingvolume) and a second driving volume of the hydraulic pump (i.e., a pumpdriving volume) by performing of at least one of the load synchronizingand the pressure synchronizing as a result of the user manipulating step(e.g., a delivery synchronizing step); discharging the pressurized fluidin a variable volume which may be one of the motor discharging volumeand the pump discharging volume due to at least one of the variablemotor driving volume and the variable pump driving volume (e.g., avariable discharging step); and changing at least one of the motordischarging volume and the pump discharging volume as a result of thevariable discharging step, thereby automatically changing the gearratios (e.g., a gear changing step).

Various exemplary embodiments of various methods exemplified in theAspect R may include the following. The method may include the step ofenclosing at least a portion of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulicmotor inside a cover of the HAT bicycle for protecting such a portionfrom external shocks or impacts (e.g., a protecting step). Theprotecting step may also include at least one of the steps of:configuring said portion to be at least 50% (or 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% ormore) of a volume of at least one of the hydraulic pump and thehydraulic motor; and enclosing at least 50% (or 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% ormore) of a sum of lengths of fluid tubes inside the cover. Theprotection may instead include at least one of the steps of: configuringthe cover to have a length which may be less than about 70% (or 60%,50%, 40%, 30% or less) of a length of the HAT bicycle; and configuringthe length of the cover to be less than about 70% (or 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%or less) of a distance between a rotation axis of a front wheel and arotation axis of a rear wheel.

Another method of using a HAT bicycle may include at least one of thesteps of: providing the driving axis of the hydraulic motor as a pedalaxis of the HAT bicycle, providing the driving axis as a rotation axisof a front wheel of the bicycle; providing the driving axis as arotation axis of a rear wheel of the bicycle; coupling the driving axiswith at least one of the pedal axis, the rotation axis of the frontwheel, and the rotation axis of the rear wheel with a chain; andcoupling the driving axis with at least one of the pedal axis, therotation axis of the front wheel, and the rotation axis of the rearwheel with at least one gear.

Another method of using a HAT bicycle may include at least one of thesteps of: constructing the hydraulic motor or the hydraulic pump to havea weight less than a preset value for increasing a driving efficiency(e.g., a light-weighting step); constructing the hydraulic motor or thehydraulic pump to have a size (e.g., a length, a height, or a width), athickness, or an internal or external volume to be less than a presetvalue to increase a driving efficiency (e.g., a miniaturization step);manipulating each of the hydraulic motor or the hydraulic pump to rotatein a certain range of rpm for discharging the pressurized fluid in acertain discharging volume (e.g., a step of restricting rpm ranges);configuring the hydraulic motor or the hydraulic pump to pressurizefluid under a preset value for increasing a driving efficiency (e.g., astep of driving in low pressure ranges), and the like. The above methodmay include the step of slowing down or stopping the bicycle by blockingthe fluid flow (e.g., a hydraulically braking step).

As defined herein, a “hydraulic pump” means a pump which uses mechanicalenergy supplied by a user to pressurize fluid contained therein, toincrease such fluid pressure, and to discharge the pressurized fluid outof the hydraulic pump in a flow of such fluid. Examples of suchhydraulic pumps may include, e.g., a vane pump, a gear pump, a pistonpump), a screw pump, and the like. In one example, the vane pumpincludes multiple vanes which are incorporated into a rotor, where therotor rotates along with a driving axis of the vane pump and where thevanes compress and pressurize such fluid while rotating. In anotherexample, a gear pump includes multiple gears which rotate about multipledriving axes and which pressurize the fluid placed in multiple gapsdefined between such gears. In another example, a screw pump includes asingle or multiple screws which rotate about a single or multipledriving axes and which pressurize the fluid placed in their threadedgrooves. In another example, a piston pump includes a single or multiplecylinders containing the fluid and pressurizes the fluid by a single ormultiple pistons which reciprocate along the cylinders. Moreparticularly, the piston pump may be a rotary piston pump or areciprocating piston pump, where the former pressurizes fluid containedin a horizontal or vertical cylinder with a piston reciprocating in adirection of a driving axis of the piston, whereas the latter converts arotating movement of a driving axis of a piston into a reciprocatingmovement and pressurizes fluid contained in a cylinder with a piston. Inaddition, such a piston pump may also include an axial piston pump and aradial piston pump, where a piston moves in a direction parallel with adriving axis in the former, whereas a piston moves in a directionvertical to a driving axis in the latter.

In addition and as further defined herein, a “hydraulic pump” mayinclude a “fixed-volume hydraulic pump” and a “variable-volume hydraulicpump” such that a volume of fluid discharged per a revolution of adriving axis of the hydraulic pump (i.e., a “discharging volume”) isconstant in the fixed-volume hydraulic pump but is varying in thevariable-volume hydraulic pump. Therefore, a variable-volume hydraulicpump may include a prior art variable-volume [1] vane pump, [2] gearpump, or [3] piston pump, while a fixed-volume hydraulic pump mayinclude a prior art fixed-volume [1] vane pump, [2] gear pump, [3]piston pump, or [4] screw pump. In addition, a lobe pump, a scroll pump,a progressive cavity pump, a diaphragm pump, or a peristaltic pump maybe used as the fixed-volume hydraulic pump, while a lobe pump, a scrollpump, a progressive cavity pump, a diaphragm pump, or a peristaltic pumpmay be constructed to have a variable discharging volume and, therefore,used as a variable-volume hydraulic pump.

As defined herein, a “hydraulic motor” includes a pump which is of thesame type as the above “hydraulic pump,” which operates in the same wayas the “hydraulic pump,” but which functions in an opposite way to the“hydraulic pump.” That is, in contrary to the hydraulic pump whichconverts the mechanical energy into the fluid pressure, the hydraulicmotor generates the mechanical energy by converting the fluid pressureinto a fluid flow. In this aspect, the hydraulic motor may be classifiedbased on the types of pressurization such as, e.g., a vane motor, a gearmotor, a piston motor, or a screw motor. In addition, the hydraulicmotor may include a “fixed-volume hydraulic pump” having a constantdischarging volume and a “variable-volume hydraulic pump” having avariable discharging volume. Therefore, the variable-volume hydraulicmotor may include a variable-volume [1] vane motor, [2] gear motor, or[3] piston motor, while a fixed-volume hydraulic motor may insteadinclude a fixed-volume [1] vane motor, [2] gear motor, [3] piston motor,or [4] screw motor. As is the case with the above, a hydraulic pump, alobe motor, a scroll motor, a progressive cavity motor, a diaphragmmotor, or a peristaltic motor may be used as the fixed-volume hydraulicmotor, while a lobe motor, a scroll motor, a progressive cavity motor, adiaphragm motor, or a peristaltic motor may be constructed to have avariable discharging volume and, therefore, used as a variable-volumehydraulic motor.

A “hydraulic pump (or motor)” of this disclosure generally refers to a“positive displacement pump (or motor).” In other words, such ahydraulic pump (or motor) displaces a constant volume of fluid per onerevolution of its driving axis, regardless of a magnitude or a change inthe mechanical load.

It is noted, however, that such a “hydraulic pump (or motor)” mayinclude not only the positive displacement pump (or motor) but also a“variable-volume pump (or motor)” which refers to a pump (or motor)which can displaces a varying volume of fluid per revolution of itsdriving axis according to a change in the mechanical load. Moreparticularly, when a HAT bicycle includes a HAT which in turn includesat least one variable-volume hydraulic pump, the HAT may also include atleast one positive displacement hydraulic motor or at least onevariable-volume hydraulic motor.

Various variable-volume vane pumps (or vane motors) may be constructedor operated as exemplified in various prior art documents such as, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,824,045, 4,421,462, and 4,316,706, Korean Pat. Nos.10-1382073, 10-1177595, and 10-1235988, and the like.

Various variable-volume gear pumps (or gear motors) may be constructedor operated as exemplified in various prior art documents such as, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,515 and Korean Pat. No. 10-1449224, whilevariable-volume piston pumps (or piston motors) may be constructed oroperated as exemplified in prior art documents such as, e.g., KoreanPat. No. 10-0429928, Korean Utility Model 20-0467725, and the like.

As used herein, a “frame of a bicycle” or simply a “frame” refers to abackbone of a bicycle, except a handle, a seat, a pedal, a chain gear, amechanical or hydraulic brake, a front wheel, a rear wheel, and thelike.

As used herein, a “mechanical load” refers to a load which is exertedonto a HAT bicycle of this disclosure and which is generally determinedby a feature of a road on which a user rides a HAT bicycle, or a slopeof such a road and which is also determined by mechanical energy appliedby a user or by an electrical motor operating on an electrical battery.Therefore, when other things being equal, the mechanical load increasesas a user rides a HAT bicycle uphill than riding a downhill, as a userprovides more mechanical energy to a HAT bicycle, and the like. Inaddition, the “mechanical load” may also be affected by an accelerationof a HAT bicycle. Accordingly, when other things being equal, themechanical load increases as a user rides a HAT bicycle while increasingits speed (i.e., accelerating) than while decreasing its speed (i.e.,decreasing). The “mechanical load” may further be affected by a weightof a user, a cargo loaded on a HAT bicycle or by a total weight ofeverything loaded on or attached to a frame of the HAT bicycle.Accordingly, when other things being equal, the “mechanical load”increases when a weight of such things attached to a HAT bicycleincreases than decreases/In other words, the “mechanical load” may beviewed as mechanical energy which is required to move a HAT bicyclealong with a user and along with optional cargos at a desired speed.

It is appreciated throughout this disclosure that a term “consist of”has two different meanings. When the term is used in a claim, itcorresponds to a transition phrase for a closed terminology. When theterm is used in other parts of this disclosure, the term corresponds to“include” or “to make” such that the term does not mean the closedterminology. In other words, the term “consist of” used in thedisclosure except in the claim does not mean the closed terminology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle(HAT bicycle) of a first exemplary aspect;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the HAT bicycle ofthe first exemplary aspect;

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the HAT bicycle ofthe first exemplary aspect;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a secondexemplary aspect of a HAT bicycle which incorporates various units invarious locations;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram of a seventh embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram of an eighth embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIG. 2I is a schematic diagram of a ninth embodiment of the secondexemplary aspect;

FIGS. 3A to 3E are cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of athird exemplary aspect of a HAT bicycle;

FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the thirdexemplary aspect;

FIGS. 3G and 3H are cross-sectional views of a third embodiment of thethird exemplary aspect;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a fourthexemplary aspect of a HAT bicycle and its operation;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the fourthexemplary aspect;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a fifthexemplary aspect of a HAT bicycle and its operation;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the fifthexemplary aspect;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a sixthexemplary aspect of a HAT bicycle and its operation;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the sixthexemplary aspect; and

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the sixthexemplary aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various “hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles” (to be abbreviatedas “HAT bicycles” hereinafter) of this disclosure include various“hydraulic automatic transmission” (to be referred to as “HAT”hereinafter) which may be provided in various configurations and whichmay operate in various mechanisms and sequences. Therefore, thisdisclosure provides various exemplary aspects and their embodiments ofsuch HAT bicycles, their HATs, and various units and parts thereof. Thisdisclosure also provides various exemplary aspects and their embodimentsof various methods of constructing, operating, and using such HATbicycles and their HATs.

It is appreciated, however, that the foregoing and the followingexemplary aspects and their embodiments of various configurations andmethods of such HAT bicycles and their HATs are only exemplary.Accordingly, various HAT bicycles and their HATs of this disclosure mayinclude not only those described throughout this disclosure, but alsotheir modifications or variations which are within the knowledge of oneof ordinary skill in the relevant art.

In the first exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 1) of this disclosure, aHAT of a HAT bicycle may synchronize external mechanical load which isexerted on a driving wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) of the HAT bicycle whileriding the bicycle with pressurizing fluid of a variable volume, andwith driving a driving axis of the bicycle utilizing the pressurizedfluid of the variable volume (i.e., a “load synchronizing”), therebyautomatically changing gear ratios. Accordingly, when the HAT of thisAspect 1 is implemented into a HAT bicycle, the HAT bicycle canautomatically change a gear ratio (e.g., lowering the ratio from 3.2 to0.7) when a user rides uphill, thereby allowing a user to climb uphillat a slower speed but with stronger force, when a user provides acertain amount of mechanical energy to the HAT bicycle. Conversely, theHAT bicycle can automatically change a gear ratio (e.g., increasing theratio from 1.2 to 5.9) when a user rides a downhill, thereby allowing auser to come down the hill at a faster speed but with weaker force, whena user provides a certain amount of mechanical energy to the HATbicycle.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle(HAT bicycle) of the Aspect 1 of this disclosure, where the HAT (10) mayinclude at least one hydraulic pump unit (20), at least one hydraulicmotor unit (90), at least one control unit (30), and the like. Thehydraulic pump unit (20) may receive a first mechanical energy suppliedby a user and/or a second mechanical energy supplied by an electricalmotor which operates on a battery or which operates on an electricalgenerator manipulated by a user, where both of the first mechanicalenergy and/or the second mechanical energies will be collectivelyreferred to as the “mechanical energy” hereinafter. The hydraulic pumpunit (20) may then pressurize fluid contained therein.

Thus, the hydraulic pump unit (20) may be viewed to convert themechanical energy into the pressurized fluid or into the flow of thepressurized fluid. To this end, the hydraulic pump unit (20) may recruita vane pump, a gear pump, a piston pump, a screw pump, or any otherprior art pump which may pressurize fluid contained therein. Forexample, a vane pump may include multiple vanes which are incorporatedinto a rotor, and may pressurize the fluid contained therein whilerotating the rotor about a driving axis of the vane pump. In anotherexample, a gear pump may include multiple rotating screws which arealigned with each other at a preset angle (e.g., parallel with eachother or at a small angle), and may pressurize such fluid containedbetween such gears while rotating multiple screws along their rotationaxes. In another example, a piston pump may include at least one pistoncoupling with a driving axis of the pump and pressurize fluid containedin a cylinder by reciprocating such a piston inside the cylinder. Inanother example, a screw pump may also include multiple male screws andpressurize fluid contained between the screws by rotating the screwsabout their rotation axes.

The HAT (10) exemplified in FIG. 1A may configure its hydraulic pumpunit (20) to automatically discharge the pressurized fluid of a variablevolume (e.g., a variable “motor discharging volume”) to the hydraulicmotor unit (90), thereby automatically changing gear ratios. Therefore,when the hydraulic pump unit (20) includes at least one variable-volumehydraulic pump, the hydraulic pump may define a variable driving volume(i.e., a variable “pump driving volume”) and, accordingly, may vary (oradjust) a volume of the pressurized fluid discharged out of thehydraulic pump (i.e., a variable “pump discharging volume”) per rotation(or revolution) of its driving axis (i.e., a “pump driving axis”).Examples of such variable-volume hydraulic pump may include variousprior art pumps such as a variable-volume vane pump, a variable-volumegear pump, a variable-volume piston pump, a variable-volume screw pump,and the like. The hydraulic motor unit (90) may take in (or receive) thepressurized fluid which is discharged out of the hydraulic pump unit(20), and may generate (mechanical) power. To this end, the hydraulicmotor unit (90) may include, e.g., at least one variable-volume motor orat least one fixed-volume hydraulic motor, or at least one of bothmotors. When the hydraulic pump unit (20) includes at least onefixed-volume hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor unit (90) may preferablyinclude at least one variable-volume hydraulic motor unit.

The control unit (30) of FIG. 1A may configure the hydraulic pump unit(20) to pressurize fluid contained therein to a certain pressure (i.e.,the “pump pressure”) in synchronization with mechanical load exerted byan external source (e.g., a road condition) onto a driving wheel (e.g.,a rear wheel) of the HAT bicycle (to be referred to as “loadsynchronizing” or “load synchronization” hereinafter) or insynchronization with pressure of fluid contained in the hydraulic motorunit (90) (to be referred to as “pressure synchronizing” or “pressuresynchronization” hereinafter), where the fluid pressure in the hydraulicmotor unit (90) may also be affected by such mechanical load. Throughthe pressure synchronizing and/or the load synchronizing, the controlunit (30) may then configure the hydraulic pump unit (20) toautomatically discharge the pressurized fluid in a variable pumpdischarging volume or in a variable flow rate to the hydraulic motorunit (90). The hydraulic pump unit (20) may pressurize the fluidcontained therein utilizing the first mechanical energy supplied by auser (e.g., onto a pedal of the HAT bicycle) and/or the secondmechanical energy provided by an electrical motor which operates on anelectrical battery or on an electrical generator which is operated by auser either directly or indirectly. Accordingly, when the hydraulicmotor unit (90) includes a fixed-volume hydraulic motor, the hydraulicmotor unit (90) may drive the HAT bicycle according to an amount offluid discharged from the hydraulic motor unit (90) (i.e., a “motordischarging volume”). In contrary, when the hydraulic pump unit (20)includes a variable-volume hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor unit(90) may drive the HAT bicycle based on the motor discharging volume aswell as based on the pressure of such fluid. It is appreciated that thehydraulic motor unit (90) may pressurize the fluid up to a certainpressure (i.e., a “motor pressure”), where the pump pressure exceeds themotor pressure for discharging the pressurized fluid in the pumpdischarging volume to the hydraulic motor unit (90).

Further details in providing the automatic and infinitely variable gearratios through the load synchronizing or the pressure synchronizing ofthe hydraulic pump unit (20) or the hydraulic motor unit (90) may be asfollows. Various mechanical load may exert on a driving wheel of a HATbicycle (e.g., its rear wheel) while a user is riding the bicycle suchthat the mechanical load may include a static load such as, e.g., aweight of the HAT bicycle, a weight of a user, or a road condition(e.g., a slope of a road, a roughness of the road, and the like), alongwith a dynamic load such as, e.g., a speed of the HAT bicycle, anacceleration thereof, a curvature of the road, and the like.Accordingly, when a user rides the HAT bicycle uphill, more mechanicalload may be exerted on the driving wheel of the HAT bicycle, and thenexerted on the hydraulic motor unit (90) which drives the driving wheelof the HAT bicycle. The mechanical load transmitted to the hydraulicpump unit (20) may pressurize (or begins to pressurize) fluid containedin such a motor unit (90) as well as fluid which is disposed in anupstream or in a downstream of the hydraulic motor unit (90).

The hydraulic pump unit (20) is in the pressure synchronizing with thehydraulic motor unit (90) through the fluid (or the pressure of fluid)and, accordingly, a variable-volume hydraulic pump of the hydraulic pumpunit (20) is also exerted by the mechanical load through the fluidpressure of a upstream or a downstream of the hydraulic motor unit (90)or its hydraulic motor. Accordingly, the hydraulic pump unit (20) has topressurize the fluid to a higher pressure in order to drive thehydraulic motor unit (90) and, to this end, hydraulic pump unit (20) maydecrease a driving volume of the variable-volume hydraulic pump and mayalso decrease the pump discharging volume of the fluid to be dischargedto the hydraulic motor unit (90). With the decreasing pump dischargingvolume, the hydraulic pump may rotate its driving axis more (i.e., anincreased rpm) with a certain amount of the first and/or secondmechanical energy. At the same time, the hydraulic motor unit (90) maytake in the decreased discharging volume of fluid from the hydraulicpump unit (20) and, therefore, may rotate its driving axis less (i.e., adecreased rpm). As a result, the HAT bicycle and its HAT mayautomatically change its gear ratios due to the increased rpm of thedriving axis of the hydraulic pump unit (20) as well as to the decreasedrpm of the driving axis of the hydraulic motor unit (90).

It is appreciated that the very unique feature of the HAT (10) of theHAT bicycle is its “infinitely variable gear ratios” and resulting“infinite automatic transmission.” In other words, when the hydraulicpump unit (20) may include a variable-volume hydraulic pump but when thehydraulic motor unit (90) may include a fixed-volume hydraulic motor,the HAT (10) may provide the infinite gear ratios which is automaticallydetermined through such load synchronizing with the mechanical loadwhich is exerted on the driving wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) of the HATbicycle while a user is riding the HAT bicycle. This is because themechanical load determines the fluid pressure required to drive thedriving axis of the HAT bicycle, because the fluid pressure determinespressure of fluid contained in the hydraulic motor unit (90) (i.e., a“motor pressure”) as well as a volume of the pressurized fluid to bedischarged from the hydraulic motor unit (90) (i.e., a “motordischarging volume”), and because these motor pressure and the motordischarging volume automatically determine the pressure of fluidcontained in the hydraulic pump unit (20) (i.e., a “pump pressure”) anda volume of the pressurized fluid to be discharged from the hydraulicpump unit (20) (i.e., a “pump discharging volume”) to the hydraulicmotor unit (90). Accordingly, the HAT (10) operating under the abovemechanism can perform the infinite automatic transmission whileproviding a user with infinitely variable gear ratios.

A HAT (10) of a HAT bicycle according to the first exemplary aspect(i.e., Aspect 1) as illustrated in FIG. 1A may be constructed andoperated in various embodiments. One exemplary embodiment 1-1 of thisAspect 1 is depicted in FIG. 1B, where a control unit (30) of the HAT(10) may include at least one flow direction controller (40) and atleast one discharging volume controller (50). It is appreciated thatvarious fluid tubes connecting various units and parts of the HAT (10)are omitted for simplicity of illustration.

As described above, a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20) maybe pressure synchronizing with the fluid pressure in the hydraulic motorunit (90) and, therefore, may pressurize the fluid contained thereinaccording to the pressure synchronizing using the first and/or secondmechanical energy. The flow direction controller (40) of the controllerunit (30) may be configured to direct the pressurized fluid to flow in acertain tube of a network of multiple tubes based upon such pressuresynchronizing. For example, the flow direction controller (40) may beincorporated in an outlet of the hydraulic pump unit (20) and may beconfigured to deliver such mechanical load (or its changes) or the fluidpressure in the hydraulic motor unit (90) (or its changes) to thedischarging volume controller (50) through a certain fluid tube. Theflow direction controller (40) may instead be configured to deliver suchmechanical load (or its changes) or the fluid pressure in the hydraulicmotor unit (90) (or its changes) to the discharging volume controller(50), only when the load (or its changes) or the pressure (or itschanges) may exceed a certain threshold.

The discharging volume controller (50) may also control the pumpdischarging volume (discharged from the hydraulic pump unit), the motordischarging volume (discharged from the hydraulic motor unit), or avolume of the pressurized fluid taken in by the hydraulic motor unit(90) (i.e., a “motor intake volume”) based on the mechanical load (orits changes) or the fluid pressure in the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit(20), (90). When the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include a vane pump,the discharging volume controller (50) may increase or decrease (i.e.,manipulate or control) a distance between a driving axis of the vanepump and a center of an outer cam ring, thereby variably controlling adriving volume of the vane pump, the pump discharging volume, or theintake (or discharging) volume of the hydraulic motor unit (90). Whenthe hydraulic pump unit (20) may instead include a gear pump, thedischarging volume controller (50) may increase or decrease or increasegaps between the gears rotating (or revolving) about their driving axes,thereby variably controlling a driving volume of the gear pump, the pumpdischarging volume, or the intake (or discharging) volume of thehydraulic motor unit (90). When the hydraulic pump unit (20) may includea piston pump, the discharging volume controller (50) may increase ordecrease a distance of travel of a piston, thereby variably controllinga driving volume of the piston pump, the pump discharging volume, or theintake (or discharging) volume of the hydraulic motor unit (90). Whenthe hydraulic pump unit (20) may include a screw pump, the dischargingvolume controller (50) may increase or decrease gaps formed between thescrew grooves, thereby variably controlling a driving volume of such apump, the pump discharging volume, or the intake (or discharging) volumeof the hydraulic motor unit (90). Therefore, the HAT (10) according tothe exemplary embodiment 1-1 of the Aspect I may synchronize the drivingwheel (e.g., a rear wheel) of the HAT bicycle with the mechanical loadexerted thereonto through the load synchronizing, and may automaticallyand variably manipulate the pump discharging volume or the motor intake(or discharging) volume through the pressure synchronizing, therebyproviding a user with the infinite variable gear ratios and enabling auser to enjoy such automatic transmission (i.e., automatic gearchanging) while a user is riding the bicycle.

Another exemplary embodiment 1-2 of this Aspect 1 of FIG. 1A is depictedin FIG. 1C, where a control unit (30) of the HAT (10) may include atleast one flow direction controller (40), at least one dischargingvolume controller (50), and at least one shift adjustor (60), along withvarious fluid tubes connecting various units and parts of the HAT (10),where such tubes are omitted for simplicity of illustration herein. Theshift adjustor (60) may be configured to easily manipulate a certainvalue of the mechanical load (or its changes) in which the HAT (10)changes a gear ratio or to easily manipulate another certain value ofthe fluid pressure (or its changes) in which the HAT (10) changes thegear ratio. To this end, the shift adjustor (60) may be configured tomanipulate such values or volumes either mechanically or electrically.In addition, the shift adjustor (60) may also be configured to allow auser to easily perform mechanical or electrical manipulation of thedriving volume of the hydraulic pump unit (20), the discharging volumeof the hydraulic pump unit (20), or its gear ratios for such automatictransmission.

When a HAT does not include any shift adjustor (60), a certain value ofthe mechanical load (or another value of the fluid pressure) in whichthe HAT changes a gear ratio is rather fixed, while the pump dischargingvolume of the hydraulic pump unit (20) is also fixed according to themechanical load. Therefore, such fixed value may be too mild for anathletic user but may be too physically demanding for an elderly user.But when the HAT (10) may include at least one shift adjustor (60), auser may manually or electrically control a certain value of themechanical load (or its changes) or the fluid pressure (or its changes)in which the HAT (10) may change gear ratios based on his or herphysical condition or circumstances. Such a user may further control thedriving volume of the hydraulic pump unit (20), its discharging volume,or gear ratios based on the mechanical load imposed on the driving wheel(e.g., a rear wheel or a front wheel) based on the physical condition orcircumstances. Accordingly, a young athlete may control such values thathe or she can enjoy intense riding, whereas a senior user may controlsuch values to comfortably ride the HAT bicycle, without having tohard-press pedals of the bicycle.

The first example of the embodiment 1-2 is a shift adjustor (60) whichcan manipulate the fluid pressure, where the shift adjustor (60) may bea prior art hydraulic valve or any prior art tube capable of decreasingfluid pressure flowing therein. The shift adjustor (60) may beincorporated into various locations such as, e.g., at a downstream of ahydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20), in a tube connecting thehydraulic pump and the flow direction controller (50), in a tubedisposed between the hydraulic pump and the discharging volumecontroller (50), in a tube between a flow direction controller (40) andthe discharging volume controller (50), in a upstream or a downstream ofthe flow direction controller (40), in a upstream of the dischargingvolume controller (50), or in any other locations capable of affectingthe pressure of the fluid in a upstream or a downstream of the flowdirection controller (40) or the discharging volume controller (50). Asa result, the fluid flowing through the shift adjustor (60) may lose itsenergy and the pressure of such fluid may decrease depending on, e.g.,an area or a volume available for such fluid to flow through theadjustor (60), its length, its cross-sectional area or shape, and thelike, whereby a user may increase or decrease the value of themechanical load or the fluid pressure for such automatic transmission.

The second example of the embodiment 1-2 is a shift adjustor (60) whichmay also increase or decrease an extent of controlling a flow directionby the flow direction controller (40), e.g., in response to themechanical load (or its changes) exerted onto the driving wheel of theHAT bicycle or in response to the fluid pressure (or its changes). Anexemplary shift adjustor (60) may insert a mechanical spring to the flowdirection controller (40) and may configure the spring to respond tosuch fluid pressure (or its changes) by compression force or extensionforce of the spring, where the flow direction controller (40) may directthe fluid to flow in a certain tube(s) in response to the mechanicalload, fluid pressure, or their changes, and may automatically deliversuch to the discharging volume controller (50). When a user extends orcompresses the spring and changes its length, such a spring may exertthe compression or extension force of different magnitudes due tochanges in its length, whereby the shift adjustor (60) may increase ordecrease the value of the mechanical load or the value of the fluidpressure at which the HAT (10) changes the gear ratios. Such a shiftadjustor (60) may be incorporated into various locations such as, e.g.,inside the flow direction controller (40), in one end of the flowdirection controller (40), between the flow direction controller (40)and the discharging volume controller (50), in any other locations foraffecting the flow direction, or in any other locations capable ofaffecting the extent of controlling the flow direction.

The third example of the embodiment 1-2 is a shift adjustor (60) whichmay also increase or decrease an extent of controlling a pump (or motor)discharging volume by the discharging volume controller (50), e.g., inresponse to the mechanical load (or its changes) which is exerted on thedriving wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) of the HAT bicycle or in response tothe pressure of the fluid in the hydraulic motor unit (90) (or itschanges). Therefore, the shift adjustor (60) may control an extent ofcontrolling by the discharging volume controller (50), therebycontrolling the pump discharging volume, or the motor intake (ordischarging) volume. When the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include avane pump, the shift adjustor (60) may include at least one part (e.g.,a “pressure generating part”) capable of increasing or decreasing thefluid pressure which may in turn determine a distance between a drivingaxis of the vane pump and a center of an outer cam ring of the vane pumpor which may in turn determine a change in such a distance. When thehydraulic pump unit (20) may include a gear pump, the shift adjustor(40) may include at least one of such pressure generating parts capableof manipulating the fluid pressure which may in turn determine sizes ofmultiple gaps (e.g., a driving volume) formed between multiple gearsrotating about their driving axes or which may in turn determine achange in such gaps. When the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include apiston pump, the shift adjustor (40) may include at least one of suchpressure generating parts capable of manipulating the fluid pressurewhich may in turn determine a distance of travel of a piston of thepiston pump or which may in turn determine a change in such a distance.When the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include a screw pump, the shiftadjustor (40) may include at least one of such pressure generating partscapable of manipulating the fluid pressure which may determine adistance between multiple screw grooves and an inner wall of the screwpump or which may in turn determine a change in such a distance. Suchpressure generating parts may be a prior art (either compression orextension) spring capable of generating the compression or extensionforce based on its deformation from its resting length, may be acompressible gas capable of generating such force, and the like.

Such shift adjustors of the HAT (10) of the HAT bicycle of theembodiment 1-2 provide a user with various benefits. For example, asenior user is generally physically restricted in the maximum amount ofmechanical energy which he or she can provide to the HAT bicycle due to,e.g., his or her age, sex, physical strength, or other physicalconditions. For example, such a user may not cope with the externalmechanical load which is exerted onto the driving wheel of the HATbicycle when the load or the resulting fluid pressure in the HAT mayexceed physical limits of the user from time to time. In this case, asenior user may obtain a higher gear ratio, simply by lowering the valueof the mechanical load or the fluid pressure at which the HAT mayperform the automatic transmission (e.g., by automatically changing suchgear ratios), which may be accomplished by adjusting the driving volumeof the hydraulic pump unit, its discharging volume, and the like.

In a contrary case where a user is a young athlete who desires toimprove his or her physical strength, such a user may increase the valueof the mechanical load or the fluid pressure at which the HAT mayperform the automatic transmission (e.g., by automatically changing thegear ratios) and may perform exercise of the desired strength on the HATbicycle, simply by manipulating such values either mechanically orelectrically using one of various shift adjustors as described above. Inaddition, the same user may lower such values of the mechanical load orthe fluid pressure according to different situations. For example, whenthe user wants to commute on the HAT bicycle, he or she may simplymanipulate the shift adjustor and lower such values for the automatictransmission.

Another exemplary embodiment 1-3 of this Aspect 1 of FIG. 1A relates toanother control unit (30) which is similar to that of the exemplaryembodiment 1-2 and which may include at least one flow directioncontroller (40), at least one discharging volume controller (50), and atleast one shift adjustor (60), along with various fluid tubes connectingvarious units and parts of the HAT (10), where such tubes are omittedfor simplicity of illustration herein. It is appreciated that, incontrary to the shift adjustor of the embodiment 1-2 which may set up aminimum value of the mechanical load or the fluid pressure in which theHAT (10) performs automatic transmission, the shift adjustor (60) ofthis embodiment may set up a maximum value of the mechanical load or thefluid pressure at which the HAT (10) may perform such automatictransmission. To this end, the shift adjustor (60) may recruit thespring of the second example of the embodiment 1-2 but may implementsuch a spring in a direction opposite to that of the spring of thesecond example of the embodiment 1-2 (e.g., in an opposite side of thefluid pressure). Alternatively, the shift adjustor (60) may be identicalto that shown in the third example of the embodiment 1-2 but may beimplemented in an opposite side of the fluid pressure.

Such shift adjustors of the HAT (10) of the HAT bicycle of theembodiment 1-3 also provide a user with various benefits. For example,when a user sets up the minimum value of the mechanical load or thefluid pressure at which the HAT performs the automatic transmission, theHAT may change gear ratios in response to every minute change in themechanical load or fluid pressure, where such frequent automatictransmission may lead to erosion of mechanical parts. Accordingly, whena user sets up the maximum value for the mechanical load or the fluidpressure for performing such automatic transmission, such a HAT may beable to minimize erosion of mechanical parts, to minimize unnecessarytransmission, and the like.

Various shift adjustors of the HAT (10) of the HAT bicycle exemplifiedin the above embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 of this Aspect 1 may be configuredsuch that a user may manipulate such adjustors either mechanically (ormanually) or electrically, or by both. For example, a user may manuallyand mechanically manipulate such a shift adjustor (e.g., a hydraulicvalve, a spring, and the like). Alternatively, an electricallymanipulating shift adjustor may come with an electrical motor whichoperates on a battery or an electrical generator and which manipulatesthe shift adjustor (e.g., opening or closing the hydraulic valve, orextending or compressing the spring). In addition, the shift adjustormay be configured to be manipulated either manually (e.g., by a user) orelectrically (e.g., by the electrical motor or another electricalactuator).

Various HAT bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one exemplary embodiment of thisexemplary Aspect 1 may be [1] similar or identical to correspondingbicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of another exemplaryembodiment of the same Aspect 1 or [2] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of otherexemplary embodiments of other exemplary aspects of this disclosure asdescribed hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter. In addition, atleast a portion of such bicycles, HATs, units, parts, andcharacteristics of such exemplary embodiments of this Aspect 1 mayreplace, may be replaced by, may be combined into, or may be used inconjunction with at least one of other bicycles, HATs, units, parts, andcharacteristics of other exemplary embodiments of other exemplaryaspects as described hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

In the second exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 2) of this disclosure, aHAT bicycle may include at least one of various HATs as exemplified inthe Aspect 1, where such HATs may be incorporated into various locationsof the HAT bicycle and may be operated by various methods. Accordinglyand as described in the Aspect 1, the HAT may synchronize the externalmechanical load exerted on a driving wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) of theHAT bicycle while a user is riding on the bicycle with pressurizing avariable volume of fluid contained in at least one of a hydraulic pumpunit and a hydraulic motor unit through such “load synchronizing.” Inaddition, the HAT may perform the automatic transmission (e.g.,automatically changing the gear ratios) by driving at least onevariable-volume (or fixed-volume) hydraulic pump unit and at least onevariable-volume (or fixed-volume) hydraulic motor unit through such“pressure synchronizing.” Accordingly, when a user rides the HAT bicycleuphill, the mechanical load exerted on the driving wheel of the bicycleincreases, and the HAT may automatically lower a gear ratio, therebyenabling a user to ride uphill at a slower speed but with an increasedpower. Conversely, as a user rides the HAT bicycle on a downhill, themechanical load exerted on the driving wheel of the bicycle decreases,and the HAT may automatically change into a higher gear ratio, therebyenabling a user to ride downhill at a higher speed but with a decreasedpower.

Various HAT bicycles of this Aspect 2 may incorporate various HATs asexemplified in various embodiments of the Aspect 1 and as will beexemplified hereinafter into various locations of the bicycles. Moreparticularly, because various HATs of the HAT bicycles of this Aspect 2may include various units and parts which may be similar or identical tothose of the above Aspect 1, various HAT bicycles of this Aspect 2 maybe similarly configured or operated as well.

One exemplary embodiment 2-1 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG. 2A,where a HAT bicycle (100) may include a bicycle body (70) and at leastone HAT (10). The body (70) may in turn include a frame (70A-70D, notincluded in the figure) which corresponds to a mechanical skeleton ofthe HAT bicycle (100). The body (70) may also include a handle (notshown in the figure), a seat (79), a front wheel (not shown in thefigure), a rear wheel (72), and at least one pedal (78). The HAT (10)may include at least one hydraulic pump unit (20) and at least onehydraulic motor unit (90), and may also include at least one optionalcontrol unit (30), where the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include atleast one hydraulic pump, while the hydraulic motor unit (90) mayinclude at least one hydraulic motor. The HAT (10) shown in this figureexemplifies an arrangement in which the hydraulic pump unit (20) and thehydraulic motor unit (90) are fabricated as a unitary article.

The unitary HAT (10) may recruit a driving axis (25) of the hydraulicpump of the hydraulic pump unit (20) as a rotation axis of the pedal(78), may recruit a driving axis (95) of the hydraulic motor of thehydraulic motor unit (90) as a rotation axis of the rear wheel (72).Therefore, the HAT (10) may also serve as a kind of frame which maycouple the pedal axis (77) with the rotation axis of the rear wheel(72). As a result, the HAT (10) may be made of or include sturdymaterials. The HAT (10) may instead be made of or include conventionalmaterials and then an additional sturdy frame may be incorporatedthereinto to connect the pedal axis (77) and the rotation axis of therear wheel (72). Although not included in the figure, the control unit(30) of the HAT (10) may include therein at least one flow directioncontroller (40) and at least one discharging volume controller (50),both of which have been explained in the embodiment 1-1, and may includeat least one optional shift adjustor (60) as explained hereinabove.

A user may operate the HAT bicycle (100) of the exemplary embodiment 2-1according to various methods. For example, a user may sit on the seat(79) and reciprocatingly press the pedal (78) to ride the bicycle (100).In the embodiment described in the figure, the rotation axis of thepedal (78) coincides with a driving axis (25) of a variable-volumehydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20). Therefore, suchmechanical energy supplied by a user who presses the pedal (78) orprovided by an electrical motor which operates on a battery or anelectrical generator may drive (i.e., rotate) a driving axis of thehydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20). Thus, the hydraulic pumpsuch as a variable-volume vane pump, a variable-volume gear pump, avariable-volume piston pump, or a variable-volume screw pump maypressurize fluid contained therein with such mechanical energy.

When a user rides the HAT bicycle (100) uphill, the mechanical loadwhich is exerted on its driving wheel (e.g., its rear wheel) of thebicycle increases, and may be transmitted to fluid contained in thehydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (90) and increase thepressure of such fluid as well as the pressure of fluid which isdischarged out of (or taken in by) the hydraulic motor, where suchpressure is to be referred to as a “motor pressure” hereinafter. Theincreased pressure may also be transmitted to the hydraulic pump unit(20) which is synchronized with the hydraulic motor unit (90) throughthe “pressure synchronizing” and, accordingly, the variable-volumehydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20) may also be affected bythe mechanical load. As a result, the hydraulic pump of the hydraulicpump unit (20) may also have to pressurize the fluid up to a higherpressure (to be referred to as a “pump pressure”) in order to drive thehydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (90). To this end, the flowdirection controller of the control unit (30) may direct the pressurizedfluid to flow through a certain tube according to the mechanical load orthe pressure of the fluid discharged out of the hydraulic motor (i.e.,the motor pressure) and may also synchronize such pressurized fluid withthe discharging volume controller (50) through the “pressuresynchronizing.” The discharging volume controller (50) may decrease thepump discharging volume which is discharged from the hydraulic pump unit(20) or may decrease the motor intake volume which is taken in by thehydraulic motor unit (90) according to the mechanical load or the fluidpressure. In other words, the hydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit(20) may increase an rpm of its driving axis per a certain amount of themechanical energy, thereby supplying a less volume of the pressurizedfluid to the hydraulic motor unit (90) than the one supplying theretowhile a user is riding the HAT bicycle (100) on a flat road. In responsethereto, the hydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (90) may alsodecrease its rpm of its driving axis and, as a result, the HAT (10) mayperform such automatic transmission by shifting to a lower gear ratio.

As described above, the pressurized fluid which is discharged from thehydraulic pump may be delivered to the hydraulic motor which may operatebased upon their types. More particularly, when the hydraulic motor unit(90) may include a fixed-volume hydraulic motor, such a motor may rotateat a certain rpm determined by the intake volume of such a motor. Thus,the HAT (10) may operate at a gear ratio which is determined by a ratioof a first rpm of the driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump to asecond rpm of the driving axis (95) of the hydraulic motor. It isappreciated that the HAT bicycle (100) may configure the rotation axis(75) of the rear wheel (72) to coincide with the driving axis (95) ofthe hydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (90). As a result, auser may conveniently enjoy riding the bicycle (100) at the above gearratio.

Conversely, when the hydraulic motor unit (90) may include avariable-volume hydraulic motor, the HAT (10) may additionally changethe gear ratio again, e.g., by rotating the driving axis (95) of thevariable-volume hydraulic motor at an rpm determined by the motor intakevolume and the fluid pressure of the fluid taken into such a motor. Insuch a case, the HAT (10) may operate at an overall gear ratio which isa product of a first gear ratio of the hydraulic pump unit (20) and asecond gear ratio of the hydraulic motor unit (90). Thus, a user mayfurther enjoy the automatic transmission which may be even moreconvenient than the one with a single gear ratio which may be one of theabove first and second gear ratios.

Another exemplary embodiment 2-2 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2B, where a HAT bicycle (100) may include a bicycle body (70) and atleast one HAT (10). The body (70) may in turn include a frame (70A),(70B), (70D) which is a mechanical skeleton of the bicycle (100). Thebody (70) may include a handle (not shown in the figure), a seat (79), afront wheel (not shown in the figure), a rear wheel (72), and at leastone pedal (78). The HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulic pumpunit (20) and at least one hydraulic motor unit (90) both of which arefabricated as a unitary article. The HAT (10) may also have at least oneoptional control unit (30). It is appreciated in this embodiment 2-2that at least a substantial portion of the controller unit (30) isincorporated into the hydraulic pump unit (20) or the hydraulic motorunit (90) in such a way that a middle portion of the control unit (30)has a minimum size or volume. As a result, this configuration mayprovide a slimmer look than the one exemplified in the embodiment 2-1,as long as the control unit (30) may endure mechanical shock or impactimposed thereon while a user is riding the HAT bicycle (100).

Another exemplary embodiment 2-3 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2C, where a HAT bicycle (100) may similarly include a bicycle body (70)and at least one HAT (10), where the body (70) may include a frame(70C), (70D), a handle (not shown in the figure), a seat (79), a frontwheel (not shown in the figure), a rear wheel (72), and at least onepedal (78). The HAT (10) may also include at least one hydraulic pumpunit (20) and at least one hydraulic motor unit (90), and at least onesimilar optional control unit (30).

It is noted in this embodiment 2-3 that at least a substantial portionof the control unit (30) is incorporated into a portion of the framewhich connects the pedal axis (77) with the seat (79) which maycorrespond to the frame (70A) of FIGS. 2A and 2B, or incorporated intoanother portion of the frame which connects the seat (79) with the rearwheel (72) which may correspond to the frame (70B) of FIGS. 2A and 2B insuch a way that a third portion of the frame (70C) connecting the pedalaxis (77) with the rear wheel (72) has a minimum size or volume. As aresult, this configuration may provide a look different from those ofthe embodiments 2-1 and 2-2.

Various HAT bicycles (100) of the embodiments 2-1 to 2-3 may be operatedin various methods which may be similar or identical to those of the HATbicycle of the Aspect 1. Therefore, details of such methods are to beomitted herein.

Various features of the HAT bicycles (100) of such exemplary embodiments2-1 to 2-3 of this Aspect 2 may be combined with each other or mayreplace each other. Therefore, various parts of the hydraulic pump unit(20) or the hydraulic motor unit (90) may be disposed inside or outsideof the body (70) or the frame (70A), (70B), (70C), (70D), as long as theHAT bicycle (100) may perform such automatic transmission with infinitegear ratios and as long as the bicycle (100) may endure the static ordynamic mechanical load, a weight of a user, and the like. In addition,the hydraulic pump unit (20), the hydraulic motor unit (90), the controlunit (30), or their parts may be releasably implemented inside oroutside the body (70) or the frame (70A), (70B), (70C), (70D) such thata user may easily repair a damaged unit (or part) or may readily replacethe damaged unit (or part).

The above HAT bicycles (100) exemplified in the embodiments 2-1 to 2-3of this Aspect 2 couple the driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump unit(20) with the pedal axis (77) of the body (70), or couple the drivingaxis (95) of the hydraulic motor unit (90) with the rotation axis of therear wheel (72). However, the HAT bicycle (100) may include a firstauxiliary gear which is disposed between the pedal axis (77) and thedriving axis (25) and connects the pedal axis (77) with the driving axis(25), or a second auxiliary gear which is disposed between the rotationaxis (75) and the driving axis (95) and connects the rotation axis (75)to the driving axis (95). In this arrangement, the gear ratio of thevariable-volume hydraulic pump unit (20) or the gear ratio of thevariable-volume hydraulic motor unit (90) may vary due to the presenceof such auxiliary gears. However, operational features of such HATbicycles (100) may be similar or identical to those of other HATbicycles of the embodiments 2-1 to 2-3 and, therefore, omitted herein.

Another exemplary embodiment 2-4 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2D, where a HAT bicycle (100) may similarly include a bicycle body (70)and at least one HAT (10), where the body (70) may include a frame(70A), (70B), (70C), (70D), a handle (not shown in the figure), a seat(79), a front wheel (not shown in the figure), a rear wheel (72), and atleast one pedal (78). The HAT (10) may also include at least onehydraulic pump unit (20) and at least one hydraulic motor unit (90),both of which are fabricated as a unitary article. The HAT (10) may alsoinclude at least one similar optional control unit (30). However, theHAT (10) of this embodiment is configured to be shorter than those ofthe embodiments 2-1 to 2-3, and that a driving axis (25) of a hydraulicpump of the hydraulic pump unit (20) may correspond to a pedal axis (77)of the pedal (78). As a result, a driving axis (95) of a hydraulic motorof the hydraulic motor unit (90) which is spaced apart from a rotationaxis (75) of the rear wheel (72) may be coupled to the rotation axis(75) by a chain (73), by a gear, or by a gear assembly.

The HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-4 may be operated in variousmethods. In one example, a user sits on the seat (79) of the bicycle(100), and may start to ride the bicycle (100) by providing theretomechanical energy, e.g., by rotating the pedal (78) or by using anelectrical motor which operates on a battery. Because a rotating pedalaxis (77) of the pedal (78) coincides with a driving axis (25) of avariable-volume hydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20), themechanical energy supplied by a user or by an electrical motor may betransmitted to the driving axis (25) of the variable-volume hydraulicpump through the pedal (78) and may drive (i.e., rotate) the drivingaxis (25) of the hydraulic pump which may then start to pressurize fluidcontained therein, where the hydraulic pump may be a vane pump, a gearpump, a piston pump, or a screw pump and where each of such pumps maydefine a variable volume in its driving part.

When the fluid pressure in the hydraulic motor or the fluid pressure inan inlet (or outlet) of the hydraulic motor unit (90) (or its change)may exceed a certain value, or when the mechanical load (or its change)applied to a driving wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) of the HAT bicycle (100)may exceed a certain value, a flow direction controller of the controlunit (30) may direct the pressurized fluid to flow to a certain tubebased on the fluid pressure and then may send the value to thedischarging volume controller (50). The discharging volume controller(50) may manipulate the variable-volume hydraulic pump to pressurize thefluid contained therein to a higher pressure in order to drive thehydraulic motor despite the increased fluid pressure (or its change)inside (or in an inlet or outlet of) the hydraulic motor and against theexternal mechanical load (or its change). To this end, the dischargingvolume controller (50) may deliver a decreased amount of the fluid tothe hydraulic motor to drive the driving axis of the motor at a higherrpm with the fixed amount of mechanical energy supplied by a user. As aresult, the hydraulic motor may rotate at a lower rpm.

The hydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (90) may take in thepressurized fluid which is discharged out of the hydraulic pump of thehydraulic pump unit (20), and the hydraulic motor may be a fixed-volumemotor or a variable-volume motor which operates as described above.While rotating its driving axis, the hydraulic motor may generate powerwhich may be transmitted to the rotation axis (75) of the rear wheel(72) through the chain (73), a gear, or a gear assembly.

As described above, the HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-4 maymechanically couple a rotation axis (75) of the rear wheel (70) with adriving axis (95) of the hydraulic motor unit (90) in various means. Forexample, a HAT bicycle (100) may include an auxiliary gear (or assembly)with a fixed gear ratio between the rotation axis (75) of the rear wheel(72) and the driving axis (75) of the hydraulic motor unit (90) orbetween the pedal (77) and the driving axis (95), and may configure suchan auxiliary gear to transmit the power to the chain (73). The chain(73) may then transmit the power to the rotation axis (75) of the rearwheel (72) or the pedal axis (77). In this case, the gear ratio of thevariable-volume hydraulic pump unit (20) or the gear ratio of thehydraulic motor unit (90) may vary from those of the embodiments 2-1 to2-4. Other configurational or operational characteristics of such HATbicycle (100) and its HAT (10) of this embodiment may be similar oridentical to those of other embodiments described above or to beexplained below, and are omitted herein.

Another exemplary embodiment 2-5 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2E, where a HAT bicycle (100) may similarly include a bicycle body (70)and at least one HAT (10), where the body (70) may include a frame(70A), (70B), (70C), (70D), a handle (not shown in the figure), a seat(79), a front wheel (not shown in the figure), a rear wheel (72), and apedal (78). This HAT (10) may also include a hydraulic pump unit (20)and a hydraulic motor unit (90) both of which are fabricated as aunitary article. The HAT (10) may also include an optional control unit(30).

The HAT (10) of this embodiment 2-5 may similarly be configured to havea shorter length than those of the above embodiments 2-1 to 2-3, and mayconfigure a driving axis (95) of the hydraulic motor to correspond to arotation axis (75) of the rear wheel (72). Therefore, a driving axis(25) of a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic pump unit (20) which is spacedapart from a pedal axis (77) of the pedal (78) may be mechanicallycoupled to the pedal axis (77) by a chain (73), by a gear, or by a gearassembly.

The HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-5 may be operated in variousmethods. In one example, a user sits on the seat (79) of the bicycle(100), and may start to ride the bicycle (100) by providing theretomechanical energy, e.g., by rotating the pedal (78) or by using anelectrical motor which operates on a battery. In this embodiment, arotating pedal axis of the rear wheel (72) coincides with a driving axis(95) of the hydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (90). As theuser or an electrical motor provides mechanical energy to a rotationaxis of the pedal (78), a chain (73) may transmit such mechanical energyto a driving axis of a variable-volume hydraulic pump of the hydraulicpump unit (20), where the hydraulic pump such as a variable-volume vanepump, a variable-volume gear pump, a variable-volume piston pump, or avariable-volume screw pump may begin to pressurize fluid containedtherein using the mechanical energy.

When the fluid pressure in the hydraulic motor or the fluid pressure inan inlet (or outlet) of the hydraulic motor unit (90) (or its change)may exceed a certain value, or when the mechanical load (or its change)applied to a driving wheel (72) may exceed a certain value, a flowdirection controller may direct the fluid to flow to a certain tubebased on the fluid pressure and then may send the value to thedischarging volume controller (50). The discharging volume controller(50) may manipulate the variable-volume hydraulic pump in a mannersimilar to that of the embodiment 2-4. As a result, the hydraulic motormay rotate at a lower rpm. The pedal axis (77) and the driving axis (25)of the hydraulic pump unit (20) may be connected to each other in amanner similar to that of the embodiment 2-4 as well.

Another exemplary embodiment 2-6 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2F, where a HAT bicycle (100) may similarly include a bicycle body (70),at least one HAT (10), and at least one optional control unit (30). Thebody (70) may include a frame (70A), (70B), (70C), (70D), a handle, aseat (79), a front wheel, a rear wheel (72), and a pedal (78). This HAT(10) may include a hydraulic pump unit (20) and a hydraulic motor unit(90), where the control unit (30) is provided as multiple parts each ofwhich may be implemented into each of such units (20), (90) or into onlyone of such units (20), (90). A driving axis (95) of hydraulic motorunit (90) is spaced away from a rotation axis of the rear wheel (72)and, therefore, connected thereto by a chain (73), by an auxiliary gear,or by a gear assembly. A driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump unit(20) which is similarly spaced away from a rotation axis (77) of thepedal (78) may be connected to the pedal axis (77) by the chain (73), byan auxiliary gear, or by a gear assembly. In this aspect, the HATbicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-6 may be viewed as a combination ofthose bicycles of the embodiments 2-4 and 2-5.

The HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-6 may be operated in variousmethods. In one example, a user sits on the seat (79) and starts to ridethe bicycle (100) by providing mechanical energy to the pedal axis (77)of the pedal (78). In this embodiment, a rotating pedal axis (77) maycouple with a driving axis (25) of a variable-volume hydraulic pump ofthe hydraulic pump unit (20), while the rotation axis (75) of the rearwheel (72) may couple with a driving axis (95) of a hydraulic motor ofthe hydraulic motor unit (90) by a chain (73), an auxiliary gear, or anauxiliary gear unit. Thus, the mechanical energy may be transmitted tothe hydraulic motor unit (90) and may drive (i.e., rotate) the drivingaxis (25) of the hydraulic pump which may then begin to pressurize fluidcontained therein.

When the fluid pressure (or its change) in the hydraulic motor unit (90)or at an inlet (or outlet) thereof may exceed a certain value, or whenthe mechanical load (or its change) applied to a driving wheel (72) mayexceed a certain value while driving, a flow direction controller maydirect the fluid to flow to a certain tube and may send the value to thedischarging volume controller (50). The discharging volume controller(50) may automatically manipulate a discharging volume of the hydraulicpump unit (20) or an intake volume of the hydraulic motor unit (90) in amanner similar to that of the embodiments 2-4 or 2-5.

Therefore, the power from the pedal axis (75) of the pedal (72) (or thechain) may drive the driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump of thehydraulic pump unit (20), and the fluid pressurized in the hydraulicpump may be delivered to the hydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit(90) and drive the hydraulic motor. Depending on the configuration, avariable-volume or a fixed-volume hydraulic motor may generate power asdescribed in the previous embodiments, and may then transmit such powerto the rotation axis (75) of the rear wheel (72).

The HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-6 may mechanical couple thepedal axis (77) of the body (70) to the driving axis (25) of thehydraulic pump unit (20) or may mechanically couple the driving axis(95) of the hydraulic motor unit (90) with the rotation axis (75) of therear wheel (72) in various means. For example, the bicycle (100) mayinclude an auxiliary gear (or assembly) with a fixed gear ratio betweenthe pedal axis (77) and the driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump unit(20) or between the rotation axis (75) of the rear wheel (72) and thedriving axis (95) of the hydraulic motor unit (90). The gear ratio ofthe variable-volume hydraulic pump unit (20) or the gear ratio of thehydraulic motor unit (90) may vary and, therefore, may be different fromthose of the embodiments 2-1 to 2-4. Other configurational oroperational characteristics of such HAT bicycle (100) and its HAT (10)of this embodiment may be similar or identical to those of otherembodiments described above or to be explained below, and are omittedherein.

As described above, the hydraulic pump unit (20) of this embodiment 2-6may include at least one hydraulic pump such as, e.g., at least onevariable (or fixed)-volume vane pump, at least one variable (orfixed)-volume gear pump, at least one variable (or fixed)-volume pistonpump, or at least one variable (or fixed)-volume screw pump. When thehydraulic pump unit (20) may include a vane pump or a gear pump as itshydraulic pump, such a unit (20) includes a circular rotor in the vanepump or circular gears in the gear pump and, therefore, may generallyhave a dimension of which a length and a width may be of similarlengths. To the contrary, when the hydraulic pump unit (20) may includea piston pump or a screw pump, such a unit (20) may generally have anelongated dimension.

Another exemplary embodiment 2-7 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2G, where a HAT bicycle (100) may similarly include a bicycle body (70),at least one HAT (10), and at least one optional control unit (30). Thebody (70) may include a frame (70A), (70B), (70D), a handle, a seat(79), a front wheel, a rear wheel (72), and a pedal (78). This HAT (10)may also include a hydraulic pump unit (20) and a hydraulic motor unit(90), where the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include a piston pump asits hydraulic pump, where both units (20), (90) may be provided as aunitary article, and where at least a portion of the control unit (30)may also be disposed inside the body (70).

As depicted in the figure, the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include anelongated piston pump which includes at least one cylinder, at least onepiston (28P), and at least one piston lever (28R), where the piston(28P) may reciprocate inside the cylinder, where the lever (28R) maymovably couple the piston (28P) to a rotation axis (28C) of the piston(28P), and where the rotation axis (28C) may be incorporated to arotation plate of the pedal (78). As a result, when a user or anelectrical motor may rotate the rotation plate, the rotation axis (28C)may rotate in a circular path. As the piston lever (28R) converts therotation into a linear reciprocation, the piston (28P) may reciprocateinside the cylinder while pressurizing the fluid contained in thecylinder and then discharging the pressurized fluid out of the cylinderin a pump discharging volume.

The HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment 2-7 may be operated in variousmethods which may be similar or identical to those of the embodiments2-1 to 2-13 and, accordingly, further details are to be omitted hereinfor simplicity of illustration.

Another exemplary embodiment 2-8 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2H, where a HAT bicycle (100) may include a bicycle body (70), at leastone HAT (10), and at least one optional control unit (30), where such abody (70) may be similar to that of the embodiment 2-7. This HAT (10)may also include a hydraulic pump unit (20) and a hydraulic motor unit(90), where the hydraulic pump unit (20) may include a piston pump asits hydraulic pump.

The HAT bicycle (100) of this embodiment is generally similar to that ofthe embodiment 2-7. However, in contrary to the HAT of the embodiment2-7 of which frame (70C) connects the rotation axis (77) of the pedal(78) to the rotation axis of the rear wheel (77), a HAT (10) of thisembodiment may include a different frame (70A), (70B). Furtherconfigurational or operational characteristics of this HAT bicycle (10)may be similar or identical to those of the HAT bicycle of theembodiment 2-7 and are omitted herein.

It is appreciated that various HATs of the embodiments 2-1 to 2-8include the hydraulic pump unit (20) and the hydraulic motor unit (90)which are disposed along a long axis of the bicycle (or a forward ridingdirection) but that the hydraulic pump unit (20), the hydraulic motorunit (90), and at least a portion of the control unit (30) of thisembodiment may be disposed in a direction which may be transverse to(i.e., not parallel with) the long axis of the bicycle (100) or theforward riding direction such as, e.g., in a direction perpendicular toand on the left or right side of the long axis, in another directionperpendicular to and over or below the long axis, or in yet anotherdirection which forms an acute angle with the axis (e.g., a slanteddirection). That is, when viewed along the long axis of the HAT bicycle(100), the hydraulic pump unit (20), the hydraulic motor unit (90), orat least a portion of the controller unit (30) may be implemented in astacked arrangement. In addition, the hydraulic pump unit (20), thehydraulic motor unit (90), or at least a portion of the control unit(30) may be disposed in various locations of the HAT bicycle (100),other than the frame (70A), (70B), (70C), (70D) of the body (70).Accordingly, the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit (20), (90) or at least aportion of the control unit (30) may be disposed on or around a handle,on or around a front (or rear) rack, on or around a front (or rear)wheel, or in any other suitable location of the bicycle (100).

Another exemplary embodiment 2-9 of this Aspect 2 is depicted in FIG.2I, where a HAT bicycle (100) may include a bicycle body (70) and atleast one HAT (10) which may be disposed in a stacked arrangement. TheHAT bicycle (100) may also include at least one optional control unit(30), where such a body (70) may be similar to that of the embodiment2-8. This HAT (10) may include a hydraulic pump unit (20) and ahydraulic motor unit (90).

More particularly, the HAT (10) may have a configuration similar to thatof the embodiment 2-4. However, in contrary to the HAT of the embodiment2-4 where the hydraulic pump unit, the hydraulic motor unit, and thecontrol unit (30) are aligned along a long axis of the bicycle, the HAT(10) of this embodiment may include the hydraulic pump unit (20)disposed on a right side of a pedal (78), the hydraulic motor unit (90)disposed on a left side of the pedal (78), and the like. Furtherconfigurational or operational characteristics of this HAT bicycle (10)may be similar or identical to those of the HAT bicycle of theembodiment 2-4 and are omitted herein.

It is noted that various HATs of the HAT bicycles of this disclosure mayhave configurational and operational characteristics which are differentfrom those of the HATs exemplified in the embodiments 2-1 to 2-9. In oneexample, the HAT bicycle may recruit the front wheel as its drivingwheel. In such a case, the pedal axis (77) may drive the hydraulic pumpunit (20), while the fluid pressurized in a hydraulic pump (21) of thehydraulic pump unit (20) may be discharged to the hydraulic motor unit(90). A hydraulic motor or the hydraulic motor unit (90) may thendirectly drive a rotation axis of the front wheel (71) or indirectlydrive the rotation axis (71) through a chain, an auxiliary gear, or agear assembly. The hydraulic motor or the hydraulic motor unit (90) maythen be disposed in, on or around the front wheel (71). Alternatively,the hydraulic motor or the hydraulic motor unit (90) may be implementedto the rear wheel (72), the body (70), or in other locations of the HATbicycle (100), where the hydraulic motor unit (90) may directly orindirectly drive the front wheel (71).

Various HAT bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one exemplary embodiment of thisexemplary Aspect 2 may be [1] similar or identical to correspondingbicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of another exemplaryembodiment of the same Aspect 2 or [2] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of otherexemplary embodiments of other exemplary aspects of this disclosure asdescribed hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter. In addition, atleast a portion of such bicycles, HATs, units, parts, andcharacteristics of such exemplary embodiments of this Aspect 2 mayreplace, may be replaced by, may be combined into, or may be used inconjunction with at least one of other bicycles, HATs, units, parts, andcharacteristics of other exemplary embodiments of other exemplaryaspects as described hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

It is appreciated that following modifications or variations of variousexamples and exemplary embodiments of the above Aspect 1 and Aspect 2also belong to such aspects and fall within the scope of thisdisclosure.

It is appreciated that an efficiency of the HAT bicycle refers to adistance of riding per unit mechanical energy which may be manuallysupplied by a user or which may be supplied by an electrical motor whichoperates on a battery or an electrical generator, and that such anefficiency may generally increase as a weight of the hydraulic pump (ormotor) unit may decrease, where the term “hydraulic pump (or motor)unit” refers to both of the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motorunit or only one of such units, and where the efficiency of riding is tobe abbreviated as a “riding efficiency” hereinafter. Therefore, in thecontext of the riding efficiency, it may be desirable to decrease theweight of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or the control unit. Thus,the hydraulic pump or the hydraulic pump unit may be configured to havea weight which may be less than, e.g., about 15 Kg, 10 Kg or 8 Kg, whilethe hydraulic motor or the hydraulic motor unit may be configured tohave a weight which may be less than, e.g., about 15 Kg, 12 Kg, or 10Kg. When such a pump or pump unit may be made of or include lightcomposite materials or alloys, such a weight may even be decreased lessthan about 7 kg, 6 Kg, 5 Kg, or 4 Kg, while such a motor or motor unitmay be configured to have a weight less than about 8 Kg, 7 Kg, 6 Kg, or5 Kg. It is further appreciated that a weight of the HAT or itshydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be determined based on a range ofgear ratios which a user may desire. Therefore, when a userpreferentially desires a range of low gear ratios, such a user may tendto be athletic and the HAT bicycle may be configured as a heavy-duty HATbicycle which may also be relatively heavy. In contrary, when a userpreferentially desires a range of high gear ratios, such a user may tendto be a senior or may want to use the HAT bicycle for commute. In thiscase, the HAT bicycle or its HAT may not have to be made of sturdy,heavy materials.

In general, prior art bicycles have weights which take account of theiruses. For example, prior art mountain bicycles are made of sturdymaterials and typically weigh more than 15 Kg or, sometimes, as much as25 Kg. In contrary, prior art racing bicycles are typically made to havea less weight such as, e.g., 10 Kg or less. Therefore, various HATsincluding such hydraulic pump (or motor) unit and control unit may beconfigured to have a weight which may be comparable with a weight of aframe of the HAT bicycle. For example and in the case of a light-weightHAT bicycle whose weight may be less than about 10 Kg, the HAT or thehydraulic pump (or motor) may have a weight similar to or less than thatof the frame of the HAT bicycle. Therefore, a weight of the hydraulicpump (or motor) unit or the HAT may be determined as a ratio to a totalweight of the HAT bicycle (with or without a user riding thereon) or asa ratio to a weight of the frame of the HAT bicycle such as, e.g., lessthan about 150%, 140%, 130%, 120%, 110%, 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%,40%, or 30%. In case of a middle-weight HAT bicycle (e.g., a totalweight of about 10 Kg without a user sitting on), a ratio of a weight ofthe hydraulic pump (or motor) or the HAT to a total weight of the HATbicycle (or its frame) may be less than about 120%, %110%, 100%, 90%,80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, or 40%.

When the frame may be made of or may include a light-weight sturdymaterial such as a carbon fiber or its equivalents, the frame may have aweight of less than about 5 Kg or even about or less than 3 Kg. In sucha case, a ratio of a weight of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, itshydraulic pump (or motor), or the HAT to a weight of a weight of theframe may be less than about 200%, 180%, 160%, 140%, 120%, or 100%.

A weight of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may tend to beproportional with a weight of a hydraulic pump (or motor) includedtherein. The same may generally apply to the HAT as well. Therefore,when the HAT may be made as a light-weight article, the hydraulic pumpunit may tend to be a light-weight unit and, therefore, the maximumpressure to which the hydraulic pump unit may pressurize the fluid maydecrease. This may also decrease the fluid pressure inside the hydraulicpump unit or the fluid pressure discharged from such a hydraulic pumpunit, and may also affect the maximum gear ratio which the HAT mayattain. In addition, as the fluid pressure discharged out of thehydraulic pump unit decreases, the fluid pressure in or around thehydraulic motor unit may also decrease. As a result, the hydraulic motorunit may then be made as a light-weight unit as well. Based upon thesegeneral principles, a manufacturer may choose or select an optimumweight of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or the HAT, while alsotaking account of the riding efficiency, the gear ratio which may bedesired by a user, and the like.

Similar to their weights, the HAT bicycle, its HAT, or its hydraulicpump (or motor) unit may also be provided in various dimensions (e.g., aheight, a length or a width), various internal volumes, various externalvolumes, and the like. Considering its efficiency and as describedabove, the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be fabricated to have acompact configuration with a light weight. It is appreciated that, evenwhen the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may have a light weight but bebulky, a user may find it uncomfortable to ride on such a HAT bicycle.For example, when a bulky hydraulic pump is coupled to a rotation axisof a pedal, a user may find it uneasy to rotate the pedal. Therefore, itis generally to the advantage of a user to not unnecessarily increase asize or a volume of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, its hydraulicpump (or motor), or the HAT.

In general, a size (or volume) of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit maytend to be proportional with a driving volume or a volume of a drivingpart of the hydraulic pump (or motor) included therein, wherecharacteristics of the hydraulic pump (or motor) may depend more on thedriving volume which may be provided in various shapes and sizes andwhich may in turn be determined by a length, a width, and a height (or aradius) of the driving volume (or part) rather than a one-dimensionalsize of the unit. For simplicity of illustration, however, variouscharacteristics of such hydraulic pump (or motor) units are to bedescribed in terms of their “sizes” which may correspond to a maximumvalue of a length, a width, a height, or a diameter of such units. Inone example, the hydraulic pump (or motor) may include a driving partwhich has a size less than about 30 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, or 15 cm, wheresuch a size may also depend on a weight of a user, a main use of the HATbicycle (e.g., exercise or commute), a driving power, a gear ratiodesired by a user, and the like. In another example, the hydraulic pump(or motor) may include a driving part which has a size less than about14 cm, 12 cm, 10 cm, or 8 cm, when a user desires a compact HAT bicycleregardless of its gear ratio or driving power. In another example when auser has a small constitution or when a user is a child, the hydraulicpump (or motor) unit may operate at a relatively low range of fluidpressure and, therefore, hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may include adriving part which has a size less than about 7 cm, 6 cm, or 5 cm.

Accordingly, when the hydraulic pump (or motor) is a vane pump (ormotor) with multiple vanes, the driving part of such a unit may includea rotor which has a diameter of less than about 23 cm, 18 cm, 13 cm, 12cm, or 10 cm. When a user prefers a smaller or lighter hydraulic pump(or motor), its rotor may have a diameter of less than about 9 cm, 7 cm,5 cm, or less. As will be explained below, the HAT which may use thevane pump (or motor) as its hydraulic pump (or motor) may include anouter cam ring which may enclose at least a substantial (or an entire)portion of the driving part of the vane pump (or motor). Therefore, amanufacturer may have to select a size of the hydraulic pump (or motor)unit while also considering that a size of the HAT is generally biggerthan the size of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit due to the outer camring. When the hydraulic pump (or motor) includes a gear pump (or motor)as a hydraulic pump (or motor), a size of multiple gears may be viewedas a sum of diameters of such gears, where such a size may be less thanabout 28 cm, 23 cm, 18 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, or 10 cm. When a smallerhydraulic pump (or motor) is preferable, the pump (or motor) may havethe above size which may be less than about 9 cm, 7 cm, 5 cm, or less. Amanufacturer may have to select a size of the hydraulic pump (or motor)unit while considering that a pair of gears may operate while multipleridges and grooves of such gears mesh each other, that an actualdiameter of a meshed pair of gears may be less than a sum of diametersof the pair of gears, and that such gears are disposed inside a housingof a finite size. When the hydraulic pump (or motor) includes a pistonpump (or motor) as a hydraulic pump (or motor), a distance of travel bya piston may be viewed as the size of the piston pump (or motor), wherethe size may be less than about 28 cm, 23 cm, 18 cm, 13 cm, 12 cm, or 10cm. When a smaller hydraulic pump (or motor) is preferable, the pump (ormotor) may have the above size which may be less than about 9 cm, 7 cm,5 cm, or less. A manufacturer may have to select a size of the hydraulicpump (or motor) unit while considering a size or a thickness of acylinder of the piston pump (or motor), and a size of a housing whichencloses the piston and cylinder therein. When the hydraulic pump (ormotor) includes a screw pump (or motor) as a hydraulic pump (or motor),a length of a screw may be viewed as the size of the screw pump (ormotor), where such a size may be less than about 28 cm, 23 cm, 18 cm, 13cm, 12 cm, or 10 cm. When a smaller hydraulic pump (or motor) ispreferable, the pump (or motor) may have the above size which may beless than about 9 cm, 7 cm, 5 cm, or less.

The size or volume of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may depend onits length as well as its height. Thus, the hydraulic pump (or motor)may have a height which may be similar to the above sizes exemplified inthe preceding paragraph. As to the gear pump (or motor), a length whichconnects centers of rotation of a pair of gears may exceed its height.As to the piston pump (or motor), the distance of travel may exceed aheight of the piston pump (or motor). As to the screw pump (or motor),an axial length of the screw may also exceed its height. And as to thevane pump (or motor), its height and length may be similar to eachother. It is to be understood that a length and a height of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be reversed depending on how suchhydraulic pump (or motor) may be installed. In this aspect, it may bedeemed that a “length” of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may referto a length of such a unit along its “long axis,” and that a “height” ofthe hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may refer to a length of such a unitalong its “short axis.”

The size of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit is determined not only bythe above length and height but also by its width. In general, the widthof the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit is less than its height or length.It is appreciated that the narrower the hydraulic pump (or motor) unitmay be, it may be more convenient for a manufacturer to fabricate thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit, it may be easier for a user to operatethe HAT bicycle, and the HAT bicycle may achieve a higher ridingefficiency. Accordingly, a width of the hydraulic pump (or motor) orthat of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may be less than about 20 cm,18 cm, 16 cm, 14 cm, 12 cm, 10 cm, or less. A narrower hydraulic pump(or motor) unit may be more easily incorporated into various locationsof the HAT bicycle as well and, when feasible, at least a portion of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit may even be incorporated into a frame.When a lighter HAT bicycle is desirable, the width of the hydraulic pump(or motor) unit may be less than about 9 cm, 7 cm, 5 cm, 3 cm, or less.

As described above, various HATs of the exemplary Aspect 1 and Aspect 2may include both of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor therein,a size of such a HAT may amount to twice of the size of the hydraulicpump or motor. As the control unit is also added thereto, a total sizeof the HAT may be about three times or more of that of the hydraulicpump or motor. As depicted in the exemplary embodiment 2-9 of the aboveAspect 2, however, at least a portion of the hydraulic pump unit (or itshydraulic pump) may instead be stacked over, disposed on top of, ordisposed next to at least a portion of the hydraulic motor unit (or itshydraulic motor). In this arrangement, an overall size of the HAT may beless than about 200%, 180%, 160%, 140%, 120%, or 110% of a size of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or may be almost identical that of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit.

The size of the HAT may be selected depending on a distance between therotation axis of the front wheel and that of the rear wheel as well. Forexample, when the HAT may dispose the hydraulic pump unit apart from thehydraulic motor unit, an overall length of the HAT may be about 150%,130%, 120%, or 110% of the distance or may be almost identical to thedistance. When the hydraulic pump and motor units (or their hydraulicpump and hydraulic motor) are disposed apart from each other, an overalllength of the HAT may be about 150%, 130%, 120%, or 110% of thedistance, or may be almost same as the distance. In addition, when thehydraulic pump and motor units (or their hydraulic pump and motor) aredisposed close to each other or stacked one over the other (or side byside), an overall length of the HAT may be about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%,50%, 40%, or 30% of the distance.

Similarly, the size of the HAT may be selected depending on a length ofa long axis of the frame as well. For example, when the HAT may disposethe hydraulic pump unit apart from the hydraulic pump motor unit, anoverall length of the HAT may be about 180%, 160%, 140%, 130%, 120%, or110% of the length of the long axis of the frame or may be almostidentical thereto. When the hydraulic pump and motor units (or theirhydraulic pump and motor) are disposed close to each other or stackedone over the other (or side by side), an overall length of the HAT maybe about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, or 30% of such a length of thelong axis of the frame.

The HAT of the exemplary Aspect 1 and Aspect 2 may include the hydraulicpump and the hydraulic motor both of which may be provided as a unitaryarticle. Such a HAT may also include a cover which may enclose thereinthe hydraulic pump unit, the hydraulic motor unit, and at least asubstantial (or an entire) portion of a network of multiple tubes, wherethe network may include the tubes which are connected to the hydraulicpump unit or the hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic pump or motor),which may be disposed between the hydraulic pump unit and hydraulicmotor unit (or their hydraulic pump and motor), and the like. As aresult, a size (e.g., a length, a width or its height) of such a HAT maybe greater than an overall size of the hydraulic pump unit and thehydraulic motor unit together. In addition, considering a size of all ofsuch tubes included therein, the HAT may have a size greater than theoverall size of such hydraulic pump and motor units. For example, whenthe hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit are provided as aunitary article, the HAT may have a size which may be less than about400%, 370%, 340%, 310%, 280%, 250%, or 220% of a size of one of suchhydraulic pump and motor units which has a smaller size. Alternatively,the HAT including a unitary hydraulic pump and motor unit may have asize which may be less than about 400%, 370%, 340%, 310%, 280%, 250%, or220% of a size of one of such hydraulic pump and motor which has asmaller size.

When the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit are fabricatedas a unitary article, the size (e.g., a length, a width, or a height) ofthis unitary HAT may be less than a sum of the sizes (i.e., an overallsize) of the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit or may beless than a sum of the sizes of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulicmotor. In one example, when the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motormay be at least partially staked on top of another (or disposed side byside along their short axes), the size of the HAT may be about two timeor less than the size of the hydraulic pump unit (or its pump) or thanthe size of the hydraulic motor unit (or its motor), depending on theshapes, sizes or other configurational characteristics of abuttingsurfaces of such units (or those of the pump and the motor).Accordingly, the unitary HAT including the unitary article of thehydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit may have a size whichmay be about 180%, 160%, 140%, 120%, or 110% of a size of one of suchhydraulic pump and motor units which has a bigger size. Alternatively,the unitary HAT may have a size which may be about 190%, 170%, 150%,140%, 130%, 120%, or 110% of a size of one of such hydraulic pump andmotor which has a bigger size.

To the contrary, the HAT may configure at least a portion but not anentire portion of the hydraulic pump unit and at least a portion but notan entire portion of the hydraulic motor unit as a unitary article, ormay instead configure at least a portion but not an entire portion ofthe hydraulic pump and at least a portion but not an entire portion ofthe hydraulic motor unit as a unitary article, where such an arrangementmay be referred to as a “semi-unitary article” or as a “semi-unitaryHAT” hereinafter, in contrast to a “unitary article” or a “unitary HAT”which includes the hydraulic pump unit (or its pump) and the hydraulicmotor unit as a unitary article. It is appreciated that the semi-unitaryHAT may include therein an entire portion of the hydraulic pump unit (orits pump) but only a portion of the hydraulic motor unit (or its pump,or may include therein only a portion of the hydraulic pump unit (or itspump) but an entire portion of the hydraulic motor unit (or its motor).

The semi-unitary HAT may include at least one cover, and may includeinside the cover such hydraulic pump unit and such hydraulic motor unit,along with various tubes. Therefore, a size of the semi-unitary HAT maybe greater than an overall size of the hydraulic pump unit (or its pump)and the hydraulic motor unit (or its motor) together. For example, thesemi-unitary HAT may have a size which may be about 400%, 370%, 340%,310%, 280%, or 220% of a size of one of such hydraulic pump and motorunits which has a smaller size. Alternatively, the semi-unitary HAT mayhave a size which may be about 450%, 420%, 390%, 360%, 330%, 300%, 270%,or 240% of a size of one of such hydraulic pump and motor which has asmaller size.

The semi-unitary HAT may also have a size (e.g., a length, a width, or aheight) which may be smaller than an overall size of the hydraulic pumpunit and hydraulic motor unit together, or than an overall size of thehydraulic pump and hydraulic motor together. For example, when thehydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit may be stacked on topof each other or disposed side by side, the semi-unitary HAT may have asize which may be less than twice a length, a width, or a height of thehydraulic pump unit (or its pump) or less than twice a length, a width,or a height of the hydraulic motor unit (or its motor). In anotherexample, the semi-unitary HAT may have the size which may be less thanabout 250%, 220%, 180%, 130%, 120%, or 110% of a size of one of suchhydraulic pump and motor units which has a bigger size. Alternatively,the semi-unitary HAT may have a size which may be less than about 230%,200%, 180%, 160%, 140%, 130%, or 120% of a size of one of such hydraulicpump and motor which has a bigger size.

The above unitary or semi-unitary HAT may offer various benefits to auser, for the hydraulic pump unit (or its pump) and the hydraulic motorunit (or its motor) are provided as a relatively compact article. Firstof all, the unitary (or semi-unitary) HAT may enclose at least a portionof the hydraulic pump unit and at least a portion of the hydraulic motorunit inside its case and, therefore, may protect such units or such pumpor motor from external shocks or impacts. The unitary (or semi-unitary)HAT may also have a more compact configuration by minimizing gaps whichmay be present in a non-unitary HAT, whereby such a HAT may be morereadily implemented into a light-weight HAT bicycle or into a compactHAT bicycle.

Even when the HAT may not be fabricated as a unitary (or semi-unitary)article, the HAT may incorporate its units or parts into differentlocations of the HAT bicycle as described in various exemplaryembodiments of the Aspect 2, and may decrease a size or a volume of eachof such parts of the HAT or those of the HAT as well. Although not shownin the figures, at least a (or an entire) portion of the hydraulic pumpunit, at least a (or an entire) portion of the hydraulic motor unit, orat least a (or an entire portion) of the control unit may beincorporated into the HAT bicycle in a direction which may not coincidewith a direction of the long axis of the HAT bicycle, but rather in adirection which may be transverse to the long axis such as, e.g., in alateral direction (e.g., toward left or toward right), in a verticaldirection (e.g., upwardly or downwardly), or in another direction whichmay be transverse to the long axis (e.g., at an acute angle with respectto the long axis). As a result, a size or a volume of at least a (or anentire) portion of the HAT may be reduced.

More particularly, when the hydraulic pump (or motor) may be provided asa light-weight pump (or motor), a user may find it very uncomfortable toride the HAT bicycle when the volume of such a pump (or motor) may bebig. For example, when the hydraulic pump attached to the rotation axisof the pedal may be too big or too wide, a user may not easily rotatethe pedal. Therefore, the HAT may be provided as a compact article byminimizing the size of at least a (or an entire) portion of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its pump (or motor).

The HAT, its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, or its pump (or motor) mayhave a size which may be selected in relation to or as a ratio of itssize to a size of a part of the HAT bicycle which may directly relate toor may physically contact a user. For example, the width of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor) may havea width which may be less than about 125%, 100%, 90%, or 80% of a widthof the seat of the HAT bicycle. Therefore, when the HAT is incorporatedbelow the seat, a user may not be bothered at all by such a unit or pump(or motor). The width of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or itshydraulic pump (or motor) may instead have a width which may be lessthan about 110%, 100%, 90%, or 80% of a distance between a pair of thepedals. Therefore, when the HAT is incorporated between or around thepedal, a user may not be bothered by using his or her legs. When thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor) may bedisposed in other locations, the above width may not apply.

The HAT bicycle including one of various HATs of the exemplary Aspect 1and Aspect 2 may also configure its hydraulic pump (or motor) unit orits hydraulic pump (or motor) to have a preset “discharging volume” or apreset “volume ratio” based on a weight of the bicycle, a ridingefficiency, or gear ratios. As described above, the volume ratio means aratio of an intake (or discharging) volume of a fluid by (or out of) ahydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic motor) to an intake (ordischarging) volume of a fluid by (or out of) a hydraulic pump unit (orits hydraulic pump). When a hydraulic pump (or motor) is of avariable-volume type, a maximum volume (or volume ratio) and a minimumvolume (or volume ratio) may also be calculated.

For example, assume the volume ratio of the hydraulic motor and thehydraulic pump to be 10 or 20. When the HAT may increase the volumeratio of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor to reduce the gearratio, the volume of the hydraulic motor may have to be 10 times or 20times of the volume of the hydraulic pump. Therefore, the size or weightof the hydraulic motor may have to be 10 times or 20 times of those ofthe hydraulic pump, which may increase the size or weight of the HATbicycle and may decrease the riding efficiency. In another example,assume the volume ratio of the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump tobe 1/10 or 1/20. When the HAT increases the volume ratio of thehydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor in order to increase the gearratio, the volume of the hydraulic pump may have to be 10 times or 20times of the volume of the hydraulic motor. Therefore, the size orweight of the hydraulic pump may have to be 10 times or 20 times ofthose of the hydraulic motor, which may lead to an increase in the sizeor weight of the HAT bicycle and may also lead to a decrease in theriding efficiency. Accordingly, various HATs of such HAT bicyclesthroughout this disclosure may configure the volume or the volume ratioof the hydraulic motor and pump units (or their motor and pump) to havea certain range of the volume ratios. For example, the HAT may configurethe hydraulic motor and pump units (or their motor and pump) to have thevolume ratio which is less than about 10.0, 5.0, 4.0, or 3.0, or may bebetween about 1.0 and 2.0. In a contrary case, the HAT may configure thehydraulic motor and pump units (or their motor and pump) to have thevolume ratio which falls between about 0.5 and about 1.0, between about0.2 and about 0.5, between about 0.1 and about 0.2, and the like.Accordingly, depending on the purpose or use of the HAT bicycles, amanufacturer may select a proper volume ratio of the hydraulic motor andpump units (or their motor and pump) to be within the above ranges, evenbetween about 0.05 and 1.0, or even between 10.0 and 20.0. Basedthereon, the manufacturer may then choose or select a proper size, aproper internal (or external) volume, or a suitable driving volume ofthe hydraulic motor and pump units (or their motor and pump).

It is appreciated that it is still the user who may ride the HAT bicyclewhich includes one of various HATs of the exemplary Aspect 1 and Aspect2. Therefore, when the user presses the pedal and delivers mechanicalenergy to the HAT bicycle, an rpm of the driving axis of the hydraulicpump (or motor) unit may be about 600 (e.g., 10 revolutions per second)in a higher range, about 200 rpm (e.g., 3.3 revolutions per second), 300rpm, 400 rpm, or 500 rpm in a high range. In the case of normal riding,such an rpm may generally be from about 60 rpm to about 200 rpm. Basedthereon, a manufacturer may then configure the hydraulic motor and pumpunits (or their motor and pump) to operate in such ranges with suitabledriving efficiency.

When the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may include a gear pump (ormotor), a piston pump (or motor), or a screw pump (or motor) as itshydraulic pump (or motor), such pumps (or motors) may operate in theabove rpm ranges rather efficiently. Accordingly, such pumps (or motors)may not require special considerations in designing such hydraulic motor(or pump) unit and its motor (or pump) as well as in implementing such aunit, pump, or motor into various HATs and into various HAT bicycles ofthis disclosure.

However, when the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit includes a vane pump(or motor) as its hydraulic pump (or motor), a manufacturer may have toensure such a vane pump (or motor) to have a proper efficiency. In oneexample, multiple vanes movably attached to the rotor of the vane motormove inside the vane slots with the centrifugal force and, therefore,may not move effectively at a relatively low rpm. Accordingly, the vanepump (or motor) may adopt a configuration which assists the vanes withmechanical springs by supplementing the centrifugal force with springforce and by ensuring tight sealing between the vanes and the innerwalls of the outer cam ring. For example, Korean Pat. Nos. 10-0866544,10-1041211, 10-0195896, and 10-0563296 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,261 and5,733,113 disclose vanes which may include rectangular-shaped tips onthe outer ends, which may include rollers at their outer ends so as toreduce mechanical friction, which may include vanes with rotating endsfor minimizing friction and for controlling movement thereof, or whichmay include variable wings in their outer ends.

In contrary, the HAT bicycle which includes the vane pump (or motor) asits hydraulic pump (or motor) may offer a benefit to a user due to itsrelative low rpm range. That is, because the vane pump (or motor)rotates at a lower rpm, the HAT bicycle may provide automatic andinfinitely variable gear ratios while minimizing the mechanical erosionof its parts or the loss of energy due to friction, while ensuring thevanes to contact the inner walls of the outer cam ring by employingvarious configurations. In one example, one end of each vane may includein its distal end at least one roller which may constantly contact andabut the inner wall of the outer cam ring even at a relatively low rpm,while minimizing the friction with the inner wall, the erosion of theroller and the inner wall, and the energy loss due to such friction.Such a vane pump may also include an inner cam ring which is radiallydisposed inside the vane pump. Because the inner cam ring constantlysupports the opposite end of each vane, the vane may constantly contactand abut the inner wall of the outer cam ring. Accordingly, the vanesmay constantly maintain such contact even when the rotor may rotate at avery low rpm or stop, thereby facilitating the intake and discharge offluid thereinto or therefrom. It is appreciated that the end of eachvane which is to contact and abut the inner walls of the outer cam ringis referred to as a “distal end” of the vane, while the opposite endwhich is adjacent to the rotor is referred to as a “proximal end” of thevane. It is further appreciated that such vanes may include the rollersnot only in their distal ends but also in their proximal ends, where therollers at the proximal ends may be identical to, similar to, ordifferent from those at the distal ends.

More particularly, such a low-speed vane pump with rollers may typicallyinclude a pump body, a driving axis movably coupling with the pump body,the rotor coupling with the driving axis and rotating therewith,multiple vane slots which may be radially formed and may allow the vanesto slide therealong, multiple vanes which may be movably disposed insidethe vane slots and each of which may include at least one roller at itsdistal end, the outer cam ring which may be disposed inside the pumpbody and may be also disposed in an eccentric arrangement with thedriving axis, the inner cam ring which may be disposed adjacent toopposite ends of the vanes, a pump fluid inlet, or a pump fluid outlet.Each vane with such a roller in one end may slide inside the vane slotbased on a position of rotation of the rotor, and may contact and abutthe inner wall of the outer cam ring by the inner cam ring, while theroller may roll along the inner wall of the outer cam ring as the vanerotates, thereby minimizing the friction with such an inner wall. As therotor and the driving axis of the vane pump rotate, the inner cam ringmay also rotate in an opposite direction. Even when the rotor and thedriving axis rotate at a low rpm, the inner cam ring may push the vanestoward the outer cam ring and may ensure the rollers of such vanes toconstantly contact and seal any gap with such inner walls, whileminimizing the friction between the rollers and such inner walls, theerosion of the rollers or the inner walls, and the energy loss due tosuch friction.

In addition, the vane pump may include multiple rod-shaped vanes, wherethe inner cam ring may be radially disposed adjacent to the rotor.Accordingly, the inner cam ring may constantly push the vanes toward theouter cam ring such that one end of each vane can constantly and tightlycontact the inner walls of the outer cam ring even when the rotorrotates at a very low rpm or stops and that the vane pump may readilytake in or discharge the fluid into or out of the vane pump.

When the vane pump include multiple rod-shaped vanes each of which mayin turn include at least one roller in its proximal end, the inner camring may be configured to be radially disposed and to abut such rollers.As the inner cam ring may support and press the proximal rollers, thevanes may be pushed to contact and abut the inner walls of the outer camring as well as to contact and abut the outer walls of the inner camring, even when the rotor rotates at a low rpm or stops. Therefore, theproximal and distal rollers of the vanes may constantly contact and sealthe gaps with such inner and outer walls, while minimizing the frictionbetween the rollers and such inner and outer walls, the erosion of therollers or the inner or outer walls, and the energy loss due to suchfriction.

It is appreciated that various configurations and operations of suchvane pumps as provided in the preceding paragraphs may similarly applyto vane motors of the hydraulic motor unit.

In general, the driving efficiency of the HAT bicycle may depend on anefficiency of the hydraulic pump (or motor) or an efficiency of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit, where the driving efficiency refers to adistance of travel per mechanical energy supplied by the user orprovided by the electrical motor. In particular, such a drivingefficiency may tend to decrease as the fluid pressure in or around thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor) mayincrease and as the resulting friction may also increase. In contrary,the driving efficiency may tend to increase as the fluid pressure in oraround the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (ormotor) may decrease and as the resulting friction may also decrease.Accordingly, the HAT bicycle may configure the pressure in or around thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor) to beless than about 120 atm, and may operate such units, pumps or motors.

In general, various hydraulic pumps (or motors) have different sourcesof mechanical friction. In the vane pump (or motor), the rotating vanesof the vane pump and an inner wall of the pump may cause such friction,while multiple teeth of abutting and rotating gears may cause suchfriction in the gear pump (or motor). In the piston pump (or motor), anouter surface of the reciprocating and an inner wall of the cylinder maycause the friction, while the rotating screw and an inner wall of thepump may cause such friction in the screw pump (or motor). Because suchfriction tends to increase with the fluid pressure inside such pumps (ormotors), such HATs of the exemplary Aspect 1 and Aspect 2 may maximizethe operating efficiency of such pumps (or motors) as well as thedriving efficiency of the HAT bicycle, by configuring the pressure insuch pumps (or motors), the pressure of the fluid taken thereinto, orthe pressure of the fluid discharged therefrom to be as low as possible,as long as such pumps (or motors) may generate sufficient power.

Accordingly, assuming a high estimate of a weight of a user to be about120 Kg (considering momentum due to movements of the HAT bicycle), theHAT may configure the pressure inside the hydraulic pump (or motor)during riding, or the fluid pressure taken in or discharged by thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit to be less than about 120 atm, about 100atm, about 80 atm, or about 60 atm, based on the desired gear ratios,the riding efficiency, or the purpose of using the HAT bicycle.Alternatively, the HAT may configure the pressure of the fluid pressuretaken in or discharged by the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit to be lessthan about 100 atm, about 80 atm, or about 60 atm when the HAT is to beprovided as a compact unit.

As described above, various HATs of the HAT bicycle may include at leastone shift adjustor to control the extent of changing gear ratios. In oneexample, when a user may have to ride uphill while supplying moremechanical energy than he or she is riding on a flat road whilesupplying less mechanical energy, the HAT may select a desired gearratio based on the mechanical load exerted by the road. In such acircumstance, however, a user may select different extents of changinggear ratios. That is, a user may select to change the gear ratios withless extent while providing less mechanical energy thereto (to bereferred to as “soft transmission”), or to change gear ratios with moreextent while supplying more mechanical energy thereto (to be referred toas “hard transmission”). In general, a senior or a child may prefer thesoft transmission, but a young athlete may prefer the hard transmissionin order to improve his or her physical condition or athletic abilities.With the shift adjustor, a user may select the desired extent ofchanging gear ratios.

Various HAT bicycles and their HATs may be used for various purposesdepending on a user. For example, a user may use the HAT bicycles forimproving his or her physical abilities or for recreational purposes. Tothe contrary, a user may use the HAT bicycles for commuting, delivery orother transportation purposes. To this end, the HAT bicycles may run onmechanical energy provided by various energy sources.

In one example and as explained in various embodiments of the exemplaryAspect 1 and Aspect 2, the HAT bicycle may operate with mechanicalenergy supplied by a user onto the pedal of the HAT bicycle. The HATbicycle may configure the mechanical energy to directly rotate thedriving axis of the hydraulic pump, where the driving axis maycorrespond to or couple with the pedal axis of the pedal. Alternatively,the HAT bicycle may configure the mechanical energy supplied to thepedal axis of the pedal to operate an auxiliary gear, and then to enablethe auxiliary gear to drive the driving axis of the hydraulic pump, ormay configure such mechanical energy to move the chain which may in turndrive the driving axis of the hydraulic pump.

To the contrary, the HAT bicycle may include an electrical motor and abattery, where the battery may supply electrical energy to theelectrical motor, and where the electrical motor may convert theelectrical energy into the mechanical energy which may then betransmitted to the HAT bicycle in various means. In one example, theelectrical motor may be coupled to the driving axis of the hydraulicpump, and then drive the driving axis of the hydraulic pump directly. Inanother example, the electrical motor may be coupled to an auxiliarygear and drive such a gear which may in turn rotate the driving axis ofthe hydraulic pump. In another example, the electrical motor may becoupled to the pedal axis of the pedal and rotate the pedal axis. Bycoupling the pedal axis with the driving axis of the hydraulic pump, theelectrical motor may then rotate the driving axis of the hydraulic pump.In another example and when the chain connects the pedal axis and thedriving axis of the hydraulic pump, the electrical motor may drive thepedal axis while moving the chain in a preset direction, and then thechain may drive the driving axis of the hydraulic pump which may bespaced apart from the pedal.

When the HAT bicycle includes an electrical motor and a battery, such abicycle may operate solely using the mechanical energy supplied to thepedal (i.e., “manual driving mode”) by a user, may operate solely withthe mechanical energy supplied by an electrical motor (i.e., “electricaldriving mode”), or may operate with both of such mechanical energiessimultaneously or sequentially (i.e., “mixed mode”). Accordingly, a usermay select to ride the HAT bicycle in the manual driving mode, in theelectrical driving mode, or in the mixed mode, or may change from onemode to another while riding on the HAT bicycle.

When a user rides the HAT bicycle in the manual driving mode, variousvariable-volume hydraulic pumps (or motors) may perform automatictransmission with infinitely variable gear ratios by manipulating thedriving volume of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulicpump (or motor) as well as by manipulating the discharging volumethereof in response to the external mechanical load. Accordingly, theHAT may have to operate through the load synchronizing, the pressuresynchronizing, or movement synchronizing. When a user rides the HATbicycle in the electrical driving mode, however, the HAT may not have torely on the load synchronizing, the pressure synchronizing, or themovement synchronizing. For example, when the electrical motor rotatesthe driving axis of the hydraulic pump at a preset rpm or at a presetforce (or torque), the HAT of such a HAT bicycle performs the automatictransmission with infinitely variable gear ratios and, therefore, theload synchronizing, pressure synchronizing, or movement synchronizingmay all become important to proper operation of the HAT and the HATbicycle. However, when the HAT bicycle may include a separate controllerwhich may monitor the mechanical load (or its change) and performsautomatic transmission, the movement synchronizing may become lessimportant or irrelevant, and the load synchronizing or pressuresynchronizing may also become meaningless depending upon detailedmethods of monitoring such external mechanical load.

When the HAT bicycle includes the electrical motor and the battery, theHAT bicycle may include the cruise controller to enable a user to ridethe bicycle at a relatively uniform speed. For example, a user may setup a certain speed into the cruise controller. When a user gets tiredafter riding the bicycle in the manual driving mode, or when a usercannot manage riding uphill, a user may switch from the manual drivingmode to the electrical driving mode, and may turn on the cruisecontroller, thereby riding the HAT bicycle at the certain uniform speedusing the mechanical energy supplied by the electrical motor.

The cruise controller of the HAT bicycle may include an on/off switch, aswitch for setting up a certain speed or for canceling the previouslyset-up speed, a switch for resetting the speed, and the like. Becausethe configurational and operational characteristics of the cruisecontroller may be similar or identical to those of the prior art cruisecontroller commonly found in prior art automobiles, further details areomitted herein.

When the HAT bicycle includes an electrical motor and a battery, the HATbicycle may include an electrical generator which can be manuallyoperated by a user and supply further electrical energy to the battery.The HAT bicycle may also include a secondary battery or a rechargeablebattery and use such repeatedly. In this arrangement, a user mayrecharge the battery during the manual driving mode as well.

The generator or rechargeable battery may be used not only for rotatingthe driving axis of the HAT bicycle but also for other purposes. In oneexample, the HAT bicycle may use the generator or rechargeable batteryto provide electrical energy to manipulate various control valves,pistons, switches, and the like. Accordingly, a user may either manuallyor electrically control different parts of the control unit. The HATbicycle may include a switch for turning on or off the rechargeablebattery, or a switch for supplying a certain portion of the mechanicalenergy supplied by a user to the battery. Such rechargeable batteriesare similar to various prior art counterparts and, therefore, furtherdetails of such generators or rechargeable batteries are omitted herein.

The HAT bicycle may include at least one forward clutch as brieflydescribed hereinabove. It is appreciated that prior art mechanicalclutches are used to connect or disconnect one axis with another, tostop an axis without having to stopping a driving axis, or to change thegear ratios without stopping the rotation of the driving axis. The priorart clutches may generally include an interlocking clutch or a frictionclutch, where the former may properly operate when the axes are notrotating or rotating at a low rpm, while the latter may operate whilesuch axes are rotating. In this context, the HAT of various HAT bicyclesof this disclosure may incorporate the mechanical or hydraulic forwardclutch in the pedal axis or in the rotation axis of the rear wheel,whereby the rotation axis of the rear wheel (or the driving wheel) mayrotate and the HAT bicycle may continue to move along a forwarddirection even when no mechanical energy is supplied to the pedal.

The HAT bicycle may incorporate the mechanical or hydraulic forwardclutch in various locations thereof. For example, the mechanical forwardclutch may be implemented into the pedal axis. When a user presses thepedal and rotates the pedal axis in a forward direction (e.g., rotatingthe pedal axis in this direction results in riding the bicycle in theforward direction), the mechanical energy supplied by a user istransmitted to the hydraulic pump which then delivers the pressurizedfluid to the hydraulic motor and rotates the driving axis of the HATbicycle. Conversely, when a user presses and rotates the pedal axis inan opposite direction, the mechanical energy supplied by a user is nottransmitted to the hydraulic pump and, accordingly, the bicycle maycontinue to move in the forward direction.

In another example, the mechanical forward clutch may be implemented tothe driving axis of the hydraulic pump. That is, the forward clutch maytransmit the mechanical energy to the pump driving axis in a forwarddirection but not in an opposite direction. Accordingly, the hydraulicpump may pressurize the fluid, deliver the pressurized fluid to thehydraulic motor, and drive the driving axis of the HAT bicycle only inthe forward direction but not in the opposite direction. Similarly, themechanical forward clutch may be implemented to the driving axis of thehydraulic motor. That is, the forward clutch may transmit the mechanicalenergy to the motor driving axis in a forward direction but not in anopposite direction. Accordingly, the hydraulic motor may pressurize thefluid, and drive the driving axis of the HAT bicycle only in the forwarddirection but not in the opposite direction, while allowing the HATbicycle to continue to move in a forward direction even when nomechanical energy is supplied to the pedal.

In contrary, the HAT bicycle may include the hydraulic forward clutch invarious locations thereof and attain such functions performed by themechanical forward clutch. For example, at least one one-way valve,check valve, or another prior art valve capable of preventing aretrograde fluid flow may be incorporated in one of multiple tubes sothat such a valve may allow the fluid to flow in the forward directionbut not in an opposite direction. As a result, when such a valve isincorporated in a tube connecting the hydraulic pump unit to thehydraulic motor unit, the pressurized fluid discharged from thehydraulic pump unit may be delivered to the hydraulic motor unit but notin the opposite direction. Accordingly, a user may continue to ride thebicycle in the forward direction even when the user does not press androtate the pedal or when the user may rotate the pedal in the oppositedirection, thereby performing the functions of the mechanical forwardclutch.

The HAT bicycle may instead incorporate such a valve in the fluid inlet(or outlet) of the hydraulic pump unit (or its hydraulic pump) or in thefluid inlet (or outlet) of the hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulicmotor) as the forward clutch. Accordingly, such a valve may allow thefluid to flow in the forward direction but not in the oppositedirection, thereby performing the functions of the mechanical forwardclutch.

From time to time, a user may not want to include the forward clutch inthe HAT bicycle. For example, a user may desire to ride the HAT bicyclein the forward direction when he or she presses and rotates the pedal inthe forward direction, but to ride the bicycle in the backward directionwhen he or she presses and rotates the pedal in the opposite direction.In this case, a manufacturer (or a user) may not include any mechanicalor hydraulic forward clutch in the HAT bicycle.

The HAT bicycle may include at least one of various mechanical forwardclutches but no hydraulic forward clutch, may include at least one ofvarious hydraulic forward clutches but no mechanical forward clutch, ormay include at least one of various mechanical forward clutches as wellas at least one of various hydraulic forward clutches. The HAT bicyclemay further include a control switch with which a user may activate ordeactivate the forward clutch.

As described above, the HAT bicycle may include at least one hydraulicbrake. In general, a prior art bicycle includes a mechanical brake whichis used for reducing a speed of the bicycle or for stopping the bicycleand which is incorporated into a rim or a rotation axis of the front (orrear) wheel and generates the friction to reduce the speed or to make astop. The HAT bicycle may similarly include the prior art mechanicalbrake to reduce the speed or to make a stop, and may include such abrake into various locations of the HAT bicycle as commonly seen in theprior art non-HAT bicycles. In addition, the HAT bicycle may includesuch a brake around the driving axis of the hydraulic pump (or motor)and control the rotation of such axis to reduce the speed of the HATbicycle or to stop the HAT bicycle.

With or without any mechanical brake, the HAT bicycle may include atleast one hydraulic brake to reduce the speed of the HAT bicycle or tomake a stop as well. For example, the HAT bicycle may incorporate atleast one stop valve, cock valve or any other valve capable of shuttingdown the fluid flow therethrough in at least one of multiple tubes sothat such valves may allow the fluid to flow therealong in their openstates, but may prevent the fluid flow therethrough in their closedstates. When the HAT bicycle includes the hydraulic brake in or along atube which delivers the pressurized fluid discharged from the hydraulicpump unit to the hydraulic motor unit, the HAT may open or close thehydraulic brake to allow or deny the fluid supply to the hydraulic motorunit, thereby performing the function of a brake and controlling thespeed of the HAT bicycle or making a stop. The hydraulic brake may beincorporated along the fluid outlet of the hydraulic pump (or motor)unit, at the fluid inlet (or outlet) of the hydraulic pump (or motor),or in any other tube along which the fluid may flow, whereby thehydraulic brake may control the speed of the HAT bicycle or to make astop. The HAT bicycle may instead implement multiple valves along or inthe fluid inlet (or outlet) of the hydraulic pump (or motor). Moreparticularly, when multiple hydraulic brakes are implemented in andaround the hydraulic motor, a user may effectively trap the pressurizedfluid inside the hydraulic motor, which may render all fluid in the HATto stop, where a user may more readily control the speed of the HATbicycle or make a stop.

Alternatively, the HAT bicycle may perform the brake function by rapidlysiphoning the pressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump (or motor) unitor its hydraulic pump (or motor) to a fluid tank or from at least onetube to the fluid tank, thereby rapidly decreasing the fluid pressureand reducing the speed of the HAT bicycle or making a stop. For example,the HAT bicycle may fluidly couple one end of at least one on-off valveor shut-off valve with at least one of the tubes, or the fluid inlet (oroutlet) of the hydraulic pump (or motor), and may fluidly couple anopposing end of the valve to atmosphere or to a fluid tank of whichpressure is maintained at a relatively low pressure. When a user ridesthe HAT bicycle, the on-off or shut-off valve is closed and the user mayride the HAT bicycle as described above and, accordingly, the fluid isnot in fluid communication with the fluid tank or atmosphere. However,when a user activates the on-off or shut-off valve, such a valve mayshut down the normal fluid communication, while opening a new pathwaywhich directs a non-negligible amount of the fluid to the atmosphere orto the fluid tank, thereby rapidly decreasing the fluid pressure insidethe tubes, or at the fluid inlets (or outlets). As a result, the fluidpressure rapidly decreases down to a value at which the fluid cannotdrive the hydraulic pump (or motor) and the HAT ceases to operate,thereby decreasing the speed of the HAT bicycle or making a stop.

It is appreciated that it takes a finite time for the viscous fluid toflow to the fluid tank and that the hydraulic pump (or motor) may rotatea bit while the fluid pressure decreases to a certain value. It is alsoappreciated that a user may have to decrease the driving speed or tomake a stop rather instantly. Accordingly, such on-off valve or shut-offvalve may be incorporated closer to the hydraulic pump (or motor) unitor its hydraulic pump (or motor) in order to reduce a response time toslowing down the speed or making a stop.

Instead of such on-off or shut-off valves which operate either in thefully open state and the fully closed state, the HAT bicycle may includeanother control valve as the hydraulic brake, where examples of suchcontrol valves may include a butterfly valve, a needle valve, or anothervalve which may operate in at least one state which is in-between suchfully open and closed states. Therefore, when the HAT bicycle includesthe control valve as the hydraulic brake, a user may manipulate anamount of the mechanical energy and manipulate an amount of fluidflowing therethrough, thereby controlling the strength of such braking.

The HAT bicycle may also employ at least one mechanical brake along withat least one hydraulic brake for improving the braking efficiency. Forexample, the HAT bicycle may configure that, as a user or the electricalmotor may activate one of such hydraulic and mechanical brakes, the HATbicycle may activate the other brake immediately thereafter or within acertain period of time. In another example, when a user provides themechanical energy to the first of such brakes, the HAT bicycle mayactivate the second brake immediately thereafter. But when a userprovides the mechanical energy to the second of such brakes, the HATbicycle may activate the first brake only within a certain period oftime or may activate the first brake gradually. In the alternative, whena user activates one of such brakes by supplying the mechanical energythereto, the HAT bicycle may activate the second brake only when anamount of such mechanical energy may exceed a certain value.Alternatively, the HAT bicycle may configure the mechanical brake andthe hydraulic brake to operate independent of each other.

The HAT bicycle may include at least one chain and a gear assembly todrive the chain. The chain and the gear assembly may be employed, e.g.,when the pedal axis which receives the mechanical energy and the drivingaxis of the hydraulic pump which has to receive such mechanical energyfrom the pedal axis may be spaced away from each other, when therotation axis of the driving wheel (e.g., the rear or front wheel) andthe hydraulic motor which drives the driving axis of the driving wheelmay be spaced away from each other, or when a first part which transmitsthe mechanical energy and a second part which receives the mechanicalenergy therefrom may be spaced away from each other. In addition, suchchain and a gear assembly may be employed when it is desirable tomanipulate the rpm of the pedal axis (receiving the mechanical energyfrom a user) to be different from the rpm of the driving axis of thehydraulic pump, to manipulate the rpm of the rotation axis of the rearwheel from the rpm of the driving axis of the hydraulic motor, and thelike.

Similarly, the HAT bicycle may also include an auxiliary gear or gearassembly between at least two of the pump, the motor, the driving axis,the rotation axis, and the like. Configurational or operational featuresof such auxiliary gear or gear assembly may be similar to those of thechain or gear assembly of the preceding paragraph and, therefore, areomitted herein.

The HAT of the HAT bicycle may also have a configuration which may bedifferent from those exemplified in the embodiments 2-1 to 2-9 of theabove Aspect 2. For example, the HAT may configure at least one of thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor) to beexposed to the exterior, as exemplified in FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2G, and 2H.Therefore, a user may readily maintain or fix the unit, pump, or motor,and may easily replace a problematic part, without having to replace anentire pump, motor, or unit.

Conversely and as exemplified in FIGS. 2A, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2I, the HATmay include the cover which may enclose therein at least a substantial(or an entire) portion of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, itshydraulic pump (or motor), and various tubes. The cover may be made ofor include light but sturdy material, and may have various exteriorconfiguration or design. More particularly, the cover may readilyprotect such tubes, pumps, motors, or units enclosed therein byabsorbing at least a portion of the external shocks or impacts, when auser falls on the road with the bicycle or hits an object.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2A to 2H, at least a (or an entire) portion ofthe hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, or its hydraulic pump (or motor) maybe incorporated into the HAT bicycle in a direction parallel with thelong axis of the HAT bicycle. Conversely and as exemplified in FIG. 2I,such a portion of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, or its hydraulicpump (or motor) may be stacked on top of each other or side by side in adirection which may be transverse to the long axis such as, e.g., in alateral direction (e.g., toward left or toward right), in a verticaldirection (e.g., upwardly or downwardly), or in another direction whichmay form an acute angle with respect to the long axis. Accordingly, theHAT bicycle or its HAT may generally reduce its size, at the cost ofincreasing its width. Accordingly, the HAT may be fabricated in variousconfigurations when the HAT includes a cover which may enclose variousportions of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (ormotor) stacked one over the other or side by side.

As described above, when the HAT is provided as the unitary orsemi-unitary article or when the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulicmotor unit (or their pump and motor) are stacked on top of each other(or disposed side by side), the HAT may be provided with a smaller size(e.g., its length, its width or its height) so that the size may be lessthan a distance between the pedal axis of the pedal and the rotationaxis of the front (or rear) wheel. In this arrangement and asexemplified in FIGS. 2D to 2F and 2I, the HAT bicycle may include achain, an auxiliary gear or a gear assembly to properly deliver power.

Variations or modifications of such configurations or operations of suchHAT bicycles or their HATs of this Aspect 2 may be similar or identicalto those of such HAT bicycles or their HATs of other exemplary aspectsdescribed hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter. Accordinglyfurther details are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one exemplary embodiment of thisexemplary Aspect 2 may be [1] similar or identical to correspondingbicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of another exemplaryembodiment of the same Aspect 2 or [2] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of otherexemplary embodiments of other exemplary aspects of this disclosure asdescribed hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter. In addition, atleast a portion of such bicycles, HATs, units, parts, andcharacteristics of such exemplary embodiments of this Aspect 2 mayreplace, may be replaced by, may be combined into, or may be used inconjunction with at least one of other bicycles, HATs, units, parts, andcharacteristics of other exemplary embodiments of other exemplaryaspects as described hereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

In the third exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 3) of this disclosure, aHAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one control unit which may inturn include therein at least one flow direction controller, at leastone discharging volume controller, and at least shift adjustor, whereeach of such controller or adjustor may be an option. In addition, theshift adjustor may incorporate at least one mechanical spring in theflow direction controller or in the discharging volume controller.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are schematic drawings of various exemplary embodimentsof various HATs of a HAT bicycle of this Aspect 3 of this disclosure.More particularly, FIGS. 3A to 3E relate to configurational andoperational characteristics of a control unit of the HAT according tothe first exemplary embodiment of this Aspect 3, whereas FIG. 3F relatesto configurational and operational characteristics of another controlunit of the HAT according to a second exemplary embodiment thereof. Forsimplicity of illustration, FIGS. 3A to 3F only depict various hydraulicpump units (or their pumps) and control units, while omitting matchinghydraulic motor units (or their motors).

One exemplary embodiment 3-1 of this Aspect 3 is described in FIG. 3A,where a HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulic pump unit (20), atleast one control unit (30), and at least one hydraulic motor unit (notincluded in the figure), where the hydraulic pump unit (20) may includea vane pump as its hydraulic pump (21) and where the hydraulic pump inthis embodiment refers to that vane pump (or vice versa). The vane pump(21) may include a cylindrical outer cam ring (22), a rotor (23),multiple vanes (24), and a driving axis (25), where the rotor (23) isrotatable and disposed inside the outer cam ring (22) and includes thedriving axis (25) as well as multiple vanes (24) movably disposed on aperimeter of the rotor (23). More particularly, the rotor (23) definesmultiple vane slots which open in the perimeter of the rotor (23) andpenetrate inwardly so that the vanes (24) can move toward a center ofthe rotor (23) or move away therefrom. Therefore, when the rotor (23)rotates and develops centrifugal force, the vanes (24) may move alongthe slots away from the center of the rotor (23) until they (24) maytouch an inner wall of the outer cam ring (22) and may prevent fluidflow between the inner wall and the vanes (24).

As explained above, the vane pumps (21) which are included as thehydraulic pumps of the hydraulic pump units of various HATs of thisdisclosure operate at an rpm which may be significantly lower than thatof prior art vane pumps and, therefore, the centrifugal force developedby the rotating rotor (23) may not be enough to enable the vanes (24) toslide along the vane slots outwardly toward the inner wall of the outercam ring (22). Even if the vanes (24) may successfully move outwardlytoward the outer cam ring (22), the centrifugal force may not be enoughto push the vanes (24) toward the outer cam ring (22) and to preventfluid from flowing through a gap between the vanes (24) and the innerwall of the outer cam ring (22). Accordingly, the vane pump (21) mayinclude a spring or another elastic element inside the vane slot inorder to supplement the centrifugal force and to ensure the vanes (24)to tightly contact the inner wall of the outer cam ring (22). Severalprior art documents described this arrangement, where Korean Pat. Nos.10-0866544, 10-1041211, 10-0195896, and 10-0563296 and U.S. Pat. Nos.6,099,261 and 5,733,113 disclose vanes which include rectangular-shapedtips on their outer ends, which include rollers at their outer ends todecrease mechanical friction, which include vanes with rotating ends forminimizing friction and for controlling movement thereof, which includevariable wings in their outer ends, and the like.

The vane pump (21) of the hydraulic pump unit (20) of the HAT (10) mayinclude at least one fluid inlet (134) and at least one fluid outlet(135), where the fluid inlet (134) may be incorporated into one end ofthe outer cam ring (22), and where the fluid outlet (135) may beincorporated in an opposite side of the fluid inlet (134). As a result,the vane pump (21) may take in fluid through the fluid inlet (134), maypressurize the fluid with the vanes (24) which rotate inside the outercam ring (22), and then discharge the pressurized fluid through thefluid outlet (135) toward the hydraulic motor unit. The vane pump (21)may further include two “cylinder-shaped bumps” provided on its opposingends, where the first bump corresponds to a down piston (610) and wheredetailed configurations and functions of such a pair of bumps will beexplained below in conjunction with the control unit (30).

The control unit (30) of the HAT (10) may include various parts, wherethree major parts of the control unit (30) generally includes a flowdirection controller, a discharging volume controller, and a shiftadjustor. The flow direction controller may include an adjusting piston(430), an adjusting cylinder (44), a main control valve (510), and amain control valve housing (520) (to be abbreviated as a “valve housing”hereinafter). As shown in FIG. 3A, the adjusting piston (430) mayreciprocate inside the adjusting cylinder (440), while the main controlvalve (510) may reciprocate inside the valve housing (520). In addition,the adjusting cylinder (440) may couple with the fluid outlet (135) ofthe vane pump (21) such that the adjusting piston (430) may moveinwardly into the valve housing (520) due to the fluid pressure at thefluid outlet (135). To this end, the adjusting piston (430) and theadjusting cylinder (440) are configured to movably and snugly fit eachother so as to prevent leakage of fluid therebetween and too preventpressure drop due to such leakage. To the contrary, the main controlvalve (510) may slide back and forth inside the valve housing (52) andmay define a gap or clearance therebetween, for there is no danger offluid leakage therethrough.

The discharging volume controller may include an outer cam ring valve(540) and multiple tubes such as, e.g., an “inner tube” and an “outertube.” The inner tube (512) may be incorporated inside the valve housing(520), and one end of the inner tube (512) may couple with a fluid tank(125) which may be kept at a preset pressure which may be typicallylower than the atmospheric pressure or lower than the pressure insidethe vane pump (21). The outer tube (511) may be disposed outside thevalve housing (520) and may couple with the fluid outlet (135) of thevane pump (21). Other outer tubes may be configured and disposed inorder to connect the inner tube to those cylinder-shaped bumps. Moreparticularly, such other outer tubes may connect the first bump, i.e.,the down piston (610), and the second bump to the main control valve(510) in such a way that one of the outer tubes may be disposed on aside of the vane pump (21) and may be shaped and sized as a cylinderwhich may receive the down piston (610). In FIG. 3A, the main controlvalve (510) is disposed inside the valve housing (510) and is in aposition where the inner tube is not connected with the outer tubes.

The outer cam ring valve (540) of this embodiment 3-1 of this Aspect 3may be provided to be mechanically coupled to an outer wall of the outercam ring (22). As a result, when the outer cam ring valve (540) moves ina lateral direction (e.g., to the left or right), the outer cam ring(22) may also move in the lateral direction in response thereto. Becausethe outer cam ring (22) may not be mechanically coupled to the rotor(23) or the driving axis (25) which are disposed inside the outer camring (22), the lateral movement of the outer cam ring valve (540) maynot move the rotor (23) or the driving axis (25) disposed inside theouter cam ring (22). Therefore and as will be explained in furtherdetail below, the movement of the outer cam ring valve (540) issynchronized with the movement of the outer cam ring (22), and suchsynchronization is to be referred to as “movement synchronizing” or“movement synchronization” hereinafter. That is, various hydraulic pump(21) of the hydraulic pump unit (20) (e.g., a vane pump, a gear pump apiston pump, or a screw pump) may be configured to control its drivingvolume and its discharging volume through such movement synchronizing.

The shift adjustor of the control unit (30) may generally include a maincontrol valve spring (530), a return spring (621), and the like. Themain control valve spring (530) may be implemented in one end of themain control valve housing in such a direction and in such anarrangement that the spring (530) may resist the adjusting piston (430)moving inwardly into the main control valve housing (520). To thecontrary, the return spring (621) may be implemented in such a directionand in such an arrangement that the spring (621) may respond to themovement of the down piston (610) provided at one side of the vane pump(21).

FIG. 3B shows a first schematic drawing of an operation of the HAT ofthe embodiment 3-1 of this Aspect 3 as depicted in FIG. 3A. Moreparticularly, FIG. 3B relates to a state when a user starts to rideuphill and the HAT is about to change its gear from a high ratio to alower ratio.

As described above, when a user rides the HAT bicycle uphill, a road mayimpose an increased amount of the mechanical load onto the driving axisof the hydraulic motor of the hydraulic motor unit (not shown in thefigure). As a result, the fluid pressure in and around the hydraulicmotor unit increases to the motor pressure. Through the loadsynchronizing as explained above, the increased pressure in and aroundthe hydraulic motor unit may also increase fluid pressure in and aroundthe hydraulic pump unit (20). In order for a user to continue ridinguphill, the vane pump (21) of the hydraulic motor unit (20) may have toincrease the pump pressure beyond the motor pressure using themechanical energy manually supplied by a user or electrically suppliedthrough an electrical motor operating on a battery. Through thispressure synchronizing, the pressure of fluid discharged out of thehydraulic pump unit (20) to the hydraulic motor unit may also increaseaccordingly.

As depicted in FIG. 3B, the flow direction controller of the controlunit (30) may deliver the fluid discharged from the vane pump (21) tothe adjusting cylinder (440) through the outer tube connected to thefluid outlet (135) of the vane pump (21). As a result, the adjustingpiston (430) may move to the right in the figure. The main control valve(510) which is connected to the adjusting piston (430) may also moveinwardly into the valve housing (520) until the force exerted on theadjusting piston (430) may balance the compression force generated bythe main control valve spring (530).

As the main control valve (510) moves into the valve housing (520), theinner tube may be connected to the outer tube. It is appreciated thatthe inner tube may connect the outer tube (511) which is connected tothe fluid discharged from the vane pump (21) to another outer tube whichincludes the cylinder enclosing the first pump such as, e.g., the downpiston (610). As the fluid discharged from the vane pump (21) isconnected the cylinder enclosing the down piston (610) through the innertube and outer tubes, the fluid may push the down piston (610) whileresisting the return spring (621), and then may move the outer cam ring(22) toward or closer to the return spring (621). As a result, adistance between the driving axis (25) of the vane pump (21) and acenter of the outer cam ring (22) may decrease, an eccentricity betweenthe driving axis (25) of the vane pump (20) and the center of the outercam ring (22) may also decrease, the driving volume of the vane pump(21) may also decrease, and the discharging volume of the vane pump (21)may also decrease, compared with that of FIG. 3A. As the volume of fluiddelivered to the hydraulic motor unit from the hydraulic pump unit (20)decreases (i.e., decreased discharging volume), the hydraulic motor ofthe hydraulic motor unit may drive with a decreased volume of fluid and,therefore, may rotate at a lower rpm than riding on a flat road.

FIG. 3C is a second schematic drawing of an operation of the HAT of theembodiment 3-1 of this Aspect 3 as depicted in FIG. 3A. Moreparticularly, FIG. 3C relates to a state when a user keeps riding uphilland the HAT is about to complete gear shift, e.g., changing its gearfrom a high ratio to a lower ratio.

As explained above, the outer cam ring (22) may be mechanically coupledto the outer cam ring valve (540) through the movement synchronizing.Therefore, as a user rides uphill, the increased mechanical load mayincrease the fluid pressure in and around the hydraulic motor unitthrough the load synchronizing. The flow direction controller may movethe outer cam ring valve (540) using the pressure of the fluiddischarged from the vane pump (21) and, therefore, the fluid pressure ofthe vane pump (21) may move the outer cam ring (22) and the outer camring valve (540) through the movement synchronizing. As a result and asdescribed in FIG. 3C, the outer cam ring valve (540) may move to aposition where the inner tube may not be coupled with any outer valve.That is, the HAT (10) may complete shifting gears, i.e., changing thegear ratio from a higher ratio to a lower ratio.

FIG. 3D is a third schematic drawing of an operation of the HAT of theembodiment 3-1 of this Aspect 3 as depicted in FIG. 3A. Moreparticularly, FIG. 3D relates to a state when a user begins to ridedownhill and the HAT is about to change its gear from a lower ratio to ahigher ratio.

When a user starts to ride the HAT bicycle (100) downhill, themechanical load exerted onto the hydraulic motor unit may begin todecrease through the load synchronizing and, therefore, the pressure inand around the hydraulic motor unit may begin to decrease as well. Inthis state, a user may continue riding as long as the hydraulic pumpunit (20) may pressurize the fluid contained therein to the pumppressure while using the mechanical energy supplied by the user or theelectrical motor, where such a pump pressure may only have to beslightly higher than the motor pressure. Through this pressuresynchronizing, the pressure of the fluid discharged from the vane pump(21) may also decrease accordingly.

As described in FIG. 3D, the flow direction controller may deliver thefluid which is discharged from the vane pump (21) and which ispressurized to a relatively low pressure to the adjusting cylinder (440)through the outer tube which is connected to the fluid outlet (135) ofthe vane pump (21). With the decrease in pressure, the main controlvalve spring (530) of the shift adjustor may move the adjusting piston(430) to the left of FIG. 3D, e.g., outside of the valve housing (520).

When the main control valve (510) is disposed outside the valve housing(520), the inner tube may connect the fluid tank with the outer tubewhich may form a cylinder which in turn may receive the down piston(610) therein. As a result, the down piston (610) may move to the leftof FIG. 3D due to the return extension force exerted by the returnspring (621) of the control unit (30), and the outer cam ring (22) mayalso move to the same direction. This may increase a distance betweenthe driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump (21) and the center of theouter cam ring (22), may increase the eccentricity between the center ofthe outer cam ring (22) and the driving axis (25), may increase thedriving volume of the vane pump (21), and may then increase thedischarging volume of the vane pump (21) than the one shown in FIG. 3C.As the fluid volume supplied to the hydraulic motor from the vane pump(21) increases, the hydraulic motor may operate with more fluidcontained therein, and may rotate at a higher rpm.

FIG. 3E shows a fourth schematic drawing of an operation of the HAT ofthe embodiment 3-1 of this Aspect 3 as depicted in FIG. 3A. Moreparticularly, FIG. 3E relates to a state when a user rides downhill andthe HAT completes to change its gear from a low ratio to a higher ratio.

As described above, the movement synchronizing allows the outer cam ring(22) to mechanically couple with the outer cam ring valve (540).Accordingly, a decrease in the mechanical load while driving downhillmay decrease the pressure of fluid contained in the hydraulic motor unitthrough the load synchronizing, which may decrease the pressure of fluidcontained in the vane pump (21) through such pressure synchronizing. Theflow direction controller may move the outer cam ring valve (540) usingthe return extension force of the return spring (621), where the returnextension force may synchronize movements of the outer cam ring (22) andthe outer cam ring valve (540) through the movement synchronizing. As aresult and as shown in FIG. 3E, the outer cam ring valve (540) moves toanother position in which the inner and outer tubes may not be in fluidcommunication with each other. Through such movement synchronizing, theHAT may complete to perform such automatic transmission from the lowgear ratio (of riding uphill) to the high gear ratio (or ridingdownhill).

Another exemplary embodiment 3-2 of this Aspect 3 is described in FIG.3F, where a HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulic pump unit (20),at least one control unit (30), and at least one hydraulic motor unit(not included in the figure). Other configurational and operationalfeatures of the HAT of this embodiment may be similar or identical tothose of the embodiment 3-1 as exemplified in FIGS. 3A to 3E, exceptthat the first cylinder-shaped bump formed on the exterior of the outercam ring (22) of the vane pump (21) of this embodiment corresponds tothe down piston (610) which is abutted by a down spring (610), while thesecond cylinder-shaped bump formed on the opposite side of the firstbump corresponds to a return spring (620).

Accordingly, when a user starts to ride uphill, the external mechanicalload exerted on the driving axis of the HAT bicycle increases throughthe load synchronizing, and the HAT begins to shift its gear from thehigh gear ratio to the lower gear ratio. The flow direction controllermay move while pushing the main control valve spring, and the fluidoutlet (135) of the vane pump (21) may be fluidly connected to thereturn spring (620) through the outer tube (511). As a result, thereturn piston (620) may move the outer cam ring (22) in the direction ofcompressing the down spring (622), a distance between the driving axis(25) of the vane pump (21) and a center of the outer cam ring (22) maydecrease, and the eccentricity between the driving axis (25) and thecenter of the outer cam ring (22) also decreases. These series of stepsmay decrease the driving volume of the vane pump (21) as well as thedischarging volume thereof. As the fluid volume supplied to thehydraulic motor unit decreases, the hydraulic motor may operate with aless amount of fluid and, therefore, the rpm of the hydraulic motor unit(or its motor) may also decrease.

Conversely, when a user starts to ride downhill, the external mechanicalload exerted on the driving axis of the HAT bicycle decreases throughthe load synchronizing, and the HAT begins to shift its gear from thelow gear ratio to the higher gear ratio. The flow direction controllermay move toward an exterior of the valve housing (520) due to extensionof the main control valve spring, and the return piston (620) may befluidly connected to a fluid tank (125) through the inner tube (512). Asa result, the down spring (622) may move the outer cam ring (22) towardthe return spring (620), a distance between the driving axis (25) of thevane pump (21) and a center of the outer cam ring (22) may increase, andthe eccentricity between the driving axis (25) and the center of theouter cam ring (22) also increases. These series of steps may increasethe driving volume of the vane pump (21) as well as the dischargingvolume thereof. As the fluid volume supplied by the vane pump (21) tothe hydraulic motor unit increases, the hydraulic motor may operate withmore fluid and, therefore, the rpm of the hydraulic motor unit (or itsmotor) may also increase.

Various HATs of the HAT bicycle of this disclosure may be incorporatedinto various locations of the HAT bicycle as exemplified in theembodiments 2-1 to 2-9 of the Aspect 2 as well as into other locationsthereof. In addition, depending upon the implementation location orarrangement of such HATs, the HAT bicycle may also include a chain, achain gear, a different auxiliary gear, or an auxiliary gear assembly,each of which may mechanically couple the HAT to one of the pedal axis,or the rotation axis of the front (or rear) wheel, or to at least two ofthe above.

As explained in FIG. 2I, the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motorunit (or its hydraulic pump and its hydraulic motor) may be implementedtogether on the rotation axis of the front wheel, on the side (e.g., onthe right side or the left side) of the pedal axis, or on the side ofthe rotation axis of the rear wheel. In the alternative, the hydraulicpump unit and the hydraulic motor unit (or its hydraulic pump and itshydraulic motor) may be separately implemented on different sides of therotation axis of the front wheel, on different sides of the pedal axis,or on the different sides of the rotation axis of the rear wheel. Whenthe length of the HAT may be shorter than a distance between the pedalaxis and the rotation axis, the HAT may include the chain, the chaingear, a different gear, or a gear assembly in order to mechanicallycouple one portion of the HAT with the rotation axis of the front (orrear) wheel.

Although not included in FIGS. 2A to 2I, at least a (or an entire)portion of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (ormotor) may be included inside the front (or rear) wheel, i.e., insidethe front wheel or inside the herb axis of the rear wheel. Thisarrangement may offer the benefit of minimizing the volume or the sizeof the HAT and the HAT bicycle. Of course, the HAT bicycle of thisarrangement may include the chain, the chain gear, or an auxiliary gearassembly in order to mechanically couple one end of the HAT with therotation axis of the front (or rear) wheel or the pedal axis.

As briefly explained in FIGS. 2A to 2I, the HAT bicycle of thisdisclosure may have the driving axis which may coincide with therotation axis of the rear wheel or with that of the front wheel. Moreparticularly, when the hydraulic motor unit or its hydraulic motor maybe mechanically coupled to the rotation axis of the rear wheel directlyor indirectly, the HAT bicycle may operate by rotating the rotation axisof the rear wheel (e.g., a rear-wheel drive), where such a rotation axismay correspond to the driving axis of the HAT bicycle. Conversely, whenthe hydraulic motor unit or its hydraulic motor is mechanically coupledto the rotation axis of the front wheel, the HAT bicycle may operate byrotating the front wheel (e.g., a front-wheel drive), where the rotationaxis may then correspond to the driving axis of the HAT bicycle.

It is appreciated that following modifications or variations of variousexamples and exemplary embodiments of the above Aspect 3 also belong tosuch an aspect and fall within the scope of this disclosure, and thatsuch modifications or variations also fall within the scope of the HATbicycle of this disclosure.

It is appreciated that the HAT may be deemed to include various parts ofthe hydraulic pump unit, various parts of the hydraulic motor unit,various parts of the control unit, and various tubes, and that all ofsuch parts may be deemed to form a hydraulic circuit. In general, when acertain hydraulic circuit (which may also mean a certain HAT) includes acertain number of such parts, the hydraulic circuit may be consolidatedinto its equivalent hydraulic circuit which may include a smaller numberof such parts or may be divided into a greater number of such parts.Accordingly, various HATs of the HAT bicycles may be varied or modifiedinto many equivalent HATs which may include more or less parts.

For example, when the adjusting cylinder (440) of the flow directioncontroller is integrated into the valve housing (520), the adjustingpiston (430) of the flow direction controller may similarly beintegrated into the main control valve (510). In this configuration, themain control valve (510) may serve as a piston which may reciprocate orslide inside the valve housing (520) which may serve as a matchingcylinder. Accordingly, the integrated main control valve (510) may moveinside the valve housing (520) which may be integrated into a locationwhere the pressure of the fluid discharged from the vane pump (21)through the fluid outlet (135) may be in equilibrium with the recoilforce of the main control valve spring (530).

In addition, formation and removal of fluid connection (orcommunication) between the inner tubes and the outer tubes may beembodied in configurations which may be different from those exemplifiedin Aspect 3, for an arrangement or a connection of such outer tubes mayvary when a size or an arrangement of the inner tubes of the outer camring valve (540) may be changed. When the location of the fluid inlet(134) or the fluid outlet (135) is varied or when the shapes of thecylinder-shaped bumps are changed, an arrangement or a pattern of suchfluid connection (or communication) may also change, whereby the sizesor an arrangement of the inner tubes of the outer cam ring valve (540)may also change. In addition, formation and removal of fluid connection(or communication) between the inner tubes and the outer tubes may beembodied by replacing the outer cam ring valve (540) with multipleadditional tubes, multiple on-off (or control) valves, and at least onethree-way valve.

It is appreciated that the main purpose of the HATs of this Aspect 3 isto perform automatic transmission with infinitely variable gear ratios.Therefore, as long as the HAT may perform such automatic transmission,the HAT may include as many (inner or outer) tubes of any types whichmay be arranged in any arrangement. In addition, as long as the HAT mayperform such automatic transmission, the HAT may include as many (inneror outer) valves or springs of any types which may be arranged in anyarrangement.

It is also appreciated that the main control valve spring, the returnspring, or the down spring of this Aspect 3 may not have to be of a coiltype. Therefore, such springs may have a non-coil shape as long as theymay exert elastic properties in the valve housing or against thecylindrical bumps formed on the outer cam ring of the vane pump.

The movement synchronizing of the HAT of this Aspect 3 may be providedin various configurations. In one example and as explained in theexemplary embodiment 3-1 and 3-2, the outer cam ring valve and the outercam ring may be mechanically coupled to each other directly, where suchouter cam ring and its valve may move in the same direction by the samedistance due to such coupling through the movement synchronizing.Alternatively, the outer cam ring and the outer cam ring valve may beindirectly coupled to each other, where the outer cam ring and its valvemay move in the same or different directions by the same or differentdistances.

For example, FIG. 3G relates to a schematic diagram depicting avariation of the movement synchronizing of the exemplary embodiments 3-1and 3-2 of this Aspect 3, where the HAT (10) may include the vane pump(21), the adjusting piston (430), and the main control valve (510) eachof which may be identical to that of the embodiments 3-1 and 3-2.However, the outer cam ring valve (540) may couple with the outer camring (22) not directly but indirectly by a valve lever (542) which maycouple with at least one of the outer cam ring (22) or its valve (540)and may pivot or rotate about a center axis (543) of the valve lever(542).

For example, FIG. 3H is a schematic diagram depicting subsequent stepsof the operation of the movement synchronizing exemplified in FIG. 3G.When the flow direction controller may push the outer cam ring valve(540) toward the main control valve spring (530), a top portion of thevalve lever (542) may pivot and move toward the main control valvespring (530) along with the outer cam ring valve (540). As a result, thevalve lever (542) may pivot about the center axis (543) of the valvelever (542), a bottom portion of the valve lever (542) may pivot in adirection away from the main control valve spring (530), and the outercam ring (22) may also move in the same direction. Therefore, it isappreciated that the movement of the outer cam ring (22) of suchmovement synchronizing exemplified in FIGS. 3G and 3H may be in adirection opposite to the direction of the exemplary embodiments 3-1 and3-2.

This variation of the movement synchronizing of the exemplaryembodiments 3-1 and 3-2 may offer various benefits to a user. Forexample, this variation in synchronizing may allow a manufacturer toselect along which direction the outer cam ring (22) may move. Inanother example, a manufacturer may lengthen or shorten a distance or anangle of such movement synchronizing. Therefore, as the center axis(543) of the valve lever (542) approaches the top portion of the valvelever (542), the bottom portion of the center axis (543) may travelalong a longer distance. Conversely, as the center axis (543) of thevalve lever (542) is implemented closer to the bottom portion of thevalve lever (542), the top portion of the center axis (543) may travelalong a distance which may be longer than the bottom portion thereof(543) due to such movement synchronizing. Utilizing such characteristicsof the movement synchronizing, the HAT may configure the outer cam ring(22) or the outer cam ring valve (540) to travel along a precisedistance or along a longer distance.

When the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its hydraulic pump (or motor)is of a variable-volume type, such movement synchronizing may beemployed to manipulate the driving volume of such a pump (or motor). Themovement synchronizing may enable the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit orits pump (or motor) to manipulate its driving volume in variousconfigurations or operations, e.g., by manipulating at least onedistance or at least one angle which may affect the driving volume. Forexample, the vane pump (or motor) may embody such movement synchronizingby manipulating a distance between the driving axis of the vane pump (ormotor) and the outer cam ring such that the HAT may allow thedischarging volume controller or the outer cam ring valve to move thesame distance as the outer cam ring, as exemplified in FIGS. 3A to 3F,FIGS. 4A and 4B, and FIGS. 5A and 5B. Conversely, the HAT may allow theouter cam ring to move along a distance which is in proportion with adistance of travel of the discharging volume controller, where theproportional constant is a non-zero and non-negative number. Inaddition, the HAT may recruit the shift adjustor to allow the outer camring to move along a distance which is determined by a distance oftravel of the discharging volume controller.

Various return springs and down springs of this exemplary Aspect 3 mayexert different compression force or recoil force based upon its springconstant and its displacement. When the return spring or the down springis incorporated into the HAT, the spring constant is still uniform, andsuch compression force or recoil force is generally proportional to thedisplacement. Accordingly, when the housing to which the return or downspring is incorporated may have a variable length (e.g., by extending orretracting a portion of the housing), a user may be able to adjust thelength of the housing and the displacement of such a return or downspring. In one example, the housing may be configured that the length ofsuch a spring may decrease as a user increases (or decreases) the lengthof the housing, whereas the length of the spring may increase as a userdecreases (or increases) the length of the housing. Accordingly, a usermay manipulate the recoil force or compression force of such springs,and may eventually manipulate the fluid pressure in or around thehydraulic pump (or motor) unit or its pump (or motor) at which the HATmay perform the automatic transmission according to physical conditionsof a user or purposes of use of the HAT bicycle.

Various configurations or operations of the HAT including the vane pump(or motor) as its hydraulic pump (or motor) of this exemplary Aspect 3may include other types of variable-volume pumps (or motors). Therefore,the flow direction controller, the discharging volume controller, or theshift adjustor operating with the vane pumps (or motors) may also beused with a variable gear pump (or motor), a variable piston pump (ormotor), and the like.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of various HATbicycles, their HATs, and their variations or modifications exemplifiedin this exemplary Aspect 3 may be similar or identical to those of otheraspects or their variations or modifications. Accordingly, furtherdetails are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one of the exemplary embodiment 3-1 or3-2 of this exemplary Aspect 3 may be [1] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics ofanother of such exemplary embodiments 3-1 and 3-2 of the Aspect 3, or[2] similar or identical to corresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts,and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments of other exemplaryaspects of this disclosure as described hereinabove or to be explainedhereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of the HAT bicycles, theirHATs, units, parts, and characteristics of such exemplary embodiments ofthis Aspect 3 may replace, may be replaced by, may be combined into, ormay be used in conjunction with at least one of other bicycles, HATs,units, parts, and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments ofother exemplary aspects as described hereinabove or to be explainedhereinafter.

In the fourth exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 4) of this disclosure, aHAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one control unit which may inturn include therein at least one flow direction controller, at leastone discharging volume controller, and at least one shift adjustor,where each of such controller or adjustor may be an option. In addition,the shift adjustor may incorporate at least one hydraulic valve.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of various exemplary embodimentsof this Aspect 4, where FIG. 4A relates to configurational oroperational features of the first exemplary embodiment 4-1 of thisAspect 4, and where FIG. 4B relates to configurational or operationalfeatures of the second exemplary embodiment 4-2 of this Aspect 4. It isnoted that FIGS. 4A and 4B may only include various hydraulic pumpunits, their hydraulic pumps, and control units of various HATs forsimplicity of illustration, and that such HATs may also include varioushydraulic motor units or their hydraulic motors as explained hereinaboveand hereinafter which may be readily incorporated into such HATs.

FIG. 4A is a schematic drawing of the first exemplary embodiment 4-1 ofthis Aspect 4, where the HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulicpump unit (20), at least one control unit (30), and at least onehydraulic motor unit (not included in the figure), where the controlunit (30) may be identical to that of the Aspect 3 as described above,and where the control unit (30) may include therein at least one shiftadjustor which in turn may include at least one valve. For example, theHAT (10) may include an adjusting valve (410) in or around a tubedisposed between a fluid outlet (135) of a hydraulic pump (21) and anadjusting cylinder (410) and may control the fluid flow along such atube. More particularly, the adjusting valve (410) may be installedinside an adjusting housing (420), and may be connected to the adjustingswitch (310) by a wire. Therefore, as a user manipulates the wire, he orshe can manipulate the adjusting valve (410) to open or to close, or canmanipulate an extent of such opening of the adjusting valve (410).

The pressurized fluid discharged out of the fluid outlet (135) of thehydraulic pump (21) may lose its pressure (e.g., a pressure drop) whileflowing in the adjusting valve (410) due to hydraulic resistance whichis exerted by such a valve (410). Therefore, the pressure exerted ontothe adjusting piston (430) may be lower than the pressure of the fluiddischarged from the fluid outlet (135) by the pressure drop along theadjusting valve (410), and the fluid pressure pushing the outer cam ringvalve (540) of the flow direction controller may also decrease. As aresult, by simply manipulating the wire (320) with the adjusting switch(310), the HAT (10) may allow user to manipulate the movement of theouter cam ring valve (540) of the flow direction controller, tomanipulate the driving volume of the hydraulic pump, and eventually tocontrol a value of such mechanical load at which the HAT may performsuch automatic transmission with infinitely variable gear ratios, tocontrol an amount of the mechanical energy supplied by a user or anelectrical motor for the automatic transmission. As a result, a user mayreadily control various features of the HAT based on his or her physicalconditions or the purpose of uses.

FIG. 4B is a schematic drawing of the second exemplary embodiment 4-2 ofthis Aspect 4, where the HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulicpump unit (20), at least one control unit (30), and at least onehydraulic motor unit (not included in the figure), where the controlunit (30) may be identical to that of the Aspect 3, but where the HATmay install a down spring (622) at the first cylinder-shaped bump formedon the exterior of the outer cam ring (22) of the vane pump (21) andinstall a return spring (620) at the second cylinder-shaped bump.Therefore, unlike those of the exemplary embodiment 4-1, the first bumpof FIG. 4B of this embodiment is abutted by the down spring (622), whilethe second bump of FIG. 4B corresponds to the return piston (620).

It is appreciated that following modifications or variations of variousexamples and exemplary embodiments of the above Aspect 4 also belong tosuch an aspect and fall within the scope of this disclosure, and thatsuch modifications or variations also fall within the scope of the HATbicycle of this disclosure.

First of all, various HATs of the exemplary embodiments 4-1 and 4-2 ofthis Aspect 4 may include a variable-volume hydraulic pump in thehydraulic pump unit, and various HATs of the exemplary embodiments 4-1and 4-2 may be applied to the hydraulic pumps of various types as well.Accordingly, the flow direction controller, the discharging volumecontroller, and the shift adjustor may be used in conjunction with avariable-volume gear pump, a variable-volume piston pump, and the like.

Secondly, the adjusting valve of this Aspect 4 may be installed intovarious locations of the HAT such as, e.g., between the adjustingcylinder (440) and a downstream of the hydraulic pump (21), or betweenthe adjusting cylinder (440) and the valve housing (520). The adjustingvalve (410) may instead be installed at various springs, at an upstreamor a downstream of various pistons, thereby affecting movements of suchsprings or pistons.

The HAT may allow a user to manipulate the adjusting valve (410) usingthe aforementioned wire or using a different, prior art controlmechanism. For example, the HAT may directly couple the adjusting switch(310) with the adjusting valve (410) such that a user may directlymanipulate the latter (410) using the former (310) without requiring anywire. The HAT may include an auxiliary gear or an auxiliary gearassembly between the adjusting switch (310) and the adjusting valve(410) such that a user can manipulate the former (410) which may thenmanipulate the latter (310) indirectly through the auxiliary gear or itsassembly.

When the adjusting valve (410) may include multiple tubes and when theHAT may also include multiple adjusting cylinders (440) or adjustingpistons (430), the HAT may manipulate at least one of such tubes in anon-off or shut-off mode, thereby manipulating a discharging volume ofthe pressurized fluid supplied to the adjusting cylinder (440). In thisconfiguration, the volume of the pressurized fluid provided to theadjusting cylinder (440) may determine force applied onto a unitcross-sectional area of the adjusting piston (430) and, accordingly,that a user may control force applied onto the adjusting piston (430)even when the pressure of the fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump(21) may remain the same. As a result, a user may manipulate an extentof such automatic gear shifting (or changing) based on his or herphysical conditions or purposes of use.

The HAT may configure the adjusting switch (310) to be manipulated by aremote controller either wirelessly or through wire. To this end, theHAT may install the remote controller in any location easily accessibleby a user such that the HAT may receive a user command through theremote controller and may manipulate the adjusting switch (310) or theadjusting valve (410), thereby also manipulating the extent of gearshifting (e.g., an extent of changing gear ratios): When desirable, theHAT may provide the remote controller as a portable article which can beportably carried by a user.

The HAT may allow a user to manipulate the adjusting switch (310)mechanically or electrically. For example, a user may apply force to theadjusting switch (310) (e.g., pressing a button, rotating a knob, andthe like) or may use an electrical motor or actuator to manipulate sucha switch (310), where the HAT may also include a separate battery forthis manipulation, may use a pre-existing battery, or may use electricalenergy which is generated by an electrical generator which in turnoperates on the rotation of the pedal or wheels.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of various HATbicycles, their HATs, and their variations or modifications exemplifiedin this exemplary Aspect 4 may be similar or identical to those of otheraspects or their variations or modifications. Accordingly, furtherdetails are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one of the exemplary embodiment 4-1 or4-2 of this exemplary Aspect 4 may be [1] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics ofanother of such exemplary embodiments 4-1 and 4-2 of the Aspect 4, or[2] similar or identical to corresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts,and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments of other exemplaryaspects of this disclosure as described hereinabove or to be explainedhereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of the HAT bicycles, theirHATs, units, parts, and characteristics of such exemplary embodiments ofthis Aspect 4 may replace, may be replaced by, may be combined into, ormay be used in conjunction with at least one of other bicycles, HATs,units, parts, and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments ofother exemplary aspects as described hereinabove or to be explainedhereinafter.

In the fifth exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 5) of this disclosure, aHAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one control unit which may inturn include therein at least one flow direction controller, at leastone discharging volume controller, and at least one shift adjustor,where each of such controller or adjustor may be an option. In addition,the shift adjustor may incorporate at least one hydraulic valve, atleast one piston, and at least one cylinder.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of various exemplary embodimentsof this Aspect 5, where FIG. 5A relates to configurational oroperational features of the first exemplary embodiment 5-1 of thisAspect 5, and where FIG. 5B relates to configurational or operationalfeatures of the second exemplary embodiment 5-2 of this Aspect 5. It isnoted that FIGS. 5A and 5B may only include various hydraulic pumpunits, their hydraulic pumps, and control units of various HATs forsimplicity of illustration, and that such HATs may also include varioushydraulic motor units or their hydraulic motors as explained hereinaboveand hereinafter which may be readily incorporated into various HATbicycles.

FIG. 5A is a schematic drawing of the first exemplary embodiment 5-1 ofthis Aspect 5, where the HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulicpump unit (20), at least one control unit (30), and at least onehydraulic motor unit (not included in the figure), where the controlunit (30) may be identical to that of the Aspect 3 or that of FIG. 4A ofthe Aspect 4 as described above, but where, unlike the return springsexemplified in FIGS. 3A to 3E or FIG. 4A, the control unit (30) mayemploy at least one separate tube and at least one return piston (620)to serve as the return spring of the previous embodiments of theprevious Aspects.

FIG. 5B is a schematic drawing of the second exemplary embodiment 5-2 ofthis Aspect 5, where the HAT (10) may include at least one hydraulicpump unit (20), at least one control unit (30), and at least onehydraulic motor unit (not included in the figure), where the controlunit (30) may be identical to that of FIG. 3F of the Aspect 3, or thatof FIG. 4B of the Aspect 5, where the control unit (30) may furtherinclude the shift adjustor on a left cylindrical bump of the hydraulicpump (21), but where a separate tube and a down piston (610) both ofwhich may serve as the down spring (610) of FIG. 3F or 4 b.

It is appreciated that following modifications or variations of variousexamples and exemplary embodiments of the above Aspect 5 also belong tosuch an aspect and fall within the scope of this disclosure, and thatsuch modifications or variations also fall within the scope of the HATbicycle of this disclosure.

First of all, various HATs of the exemplary embodiments 5-1 and 5-2 ofthis Aspect 5 may include a variable-volume hydraulic pump in thehydraulic pump unit, and various HATs of the exemplary embodiments 5-1and 5-2 may be applied to the hydraulic pumps of various types as well.Accordingly, the flow direction controller, the discharging volumecontroller, and the shift adjustor may be used in conjunction with avariable-volume gear pump, a variable-volume piston pump, and the like.

Secondly, contrary to the return springs of FIGS. 3A to 3E and FIG. 4Awhich may exert variable return force according to their displacements,the return spring (621) of the embodiment 5-1 may exert relativelyuniform return force regardless of the pressure of fluid in certainportions of the HAT (10) which may be connected to the return spring(621) through various tubes. In one example of FIG. 5A, the returnpiston (620) may be connected to a fluid tank (125) which maintains theatmospheric pressure when completing to change the gear ratios and,therefore, the down piston (610) may manipulate the discharging volumeof the hydraulic pump (21) relative to the atmospheric pressure. As aresult, in order to increase the return force of the return spring (621)or to increase the return force in proportion with the mechanical load,the HAT (10) may incorporate a safety valve which may remain closed butmay open when the pressure exceeds a preset threshold, or may configurethe fluid pressure inside the hydraulic pump (21) to vary according tothe volume of the fluid taken in by the hydraulic pump (21), therebyembodying the return piston (620) which operates similar to the returnspring of FIGS. 3A to 3E or FIG. 4A.

In addition, contrary to the down spring of FIGS. 3F and 4B which mayexert different recoil force based upon its displacement, the downpiston (610) of this embodiment 5-2 may similarly exert relativelyuniform recoil force depending upon the fluid pressure in certainportions of the HAT (10) which may couple with the return spring (621)through various tubes. Therefore, such a down piston (610) may similarlymanipulate the down spring (610) by employing at least one safety valveas explained in the above paragraph.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of various HATbicycles, their HATs, and their variations or modifications exemplifiedin this exemplary Aspect 5 may be similar or identical to those of otheraspects or their variations or modifications. Accordingly, furtherdetails are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one of the exemplary embodiment 5-1 or5-2 of this exemplary Aspect 5 may be [1] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics ofanother of such exemplary embodiments 5-1 and 5-2 of the Aspect 5, or[2] similar or identical to corresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts,and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments of other exemplaryaspects of this disclosure as described hereinabove or to be explainedhereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of the HAT bicycles, theirHATs, units, parts, and characteristics of such exemplary embodiments ofthis Aspect 5 may replace, may be replaced by, may be combined into, ormay be used in conjunction with at least one of other bicycles, HATs,units, parts, and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments ofother exemplary aspects as described hereinabove or to be explainedhereinafter.

In the sixth exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 6) of this disclosure, aHAT of a HAT bicycle may include at least one hydraulic pump unit, atleast one hydraulic motor unit, and at least one control unit, where thehydraulic pump unit may include at least one hydraulic pump, where thehydraulic motor unit may include at least one hydraulic motor, where atleast one of such hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor may be avariable-volume type, and where at least another one of such hydraulicpump and hydraulic motor may be a fixed-volume type. Alternatively, atleast one hydraulic pump may be of a variable-volume type as well as atleast one hydraulic motor may also be of a fixed-volume type.

In one exemplary embodiment 6-1 of this Aspect 6, only one of thehydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor is a variable-volume type, wherethe variable-volume pump (or motor) may be mechanically coupled to [1] arotation axis of a front wheel, [2] a pedal axis, or [3] a rotation axisof a rear wheel, directly or indirectly.

In another exemplary embodiment 6-2 of this Aspect 6, both of thehydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are of a variable-volume type,where the variable-volume hydraulic pump and the variable-volumehydraulic motor may mechanically couple with [1] the rotation axis ofthe front wheel and the pedal axis (or vice versa), [2] the pedal axisand the rotation axis of a rear wheel (or vice versa), or [3] therotation axis of the front wheel and the rotation axis of the rear wheel(or vice versa), either directly or indirectly.

In another exemplary embodiment 6-3 of this Aspect 6, the hydraulic pumpunit may include multiple hydraulic pumps of the same or differenttypes, or the hydraulic motor unit may include multiple hydraulic motorsof the same or different types. In one example, the hydraulic pump unitmay include, e.g., [1] at least two vane pumps, [2] at least one vanepump and at least one gear pump, [3] at least one vane pump and at leastone screw pump, and the like. Alternatively, the hydraulic motor unitmay include, e.g., [1] at least two vane motors, [2] at least one vanemotor and at least one gear motor, or [3] at least one vane motor and atleast one piston motor. In another example, at least two hydraulic pumps(or motors) of the hydraulic pump (or motor) unit may fluidly couplewith each other in a parallel mode, in a series mode, or in a hybridmode. It is appreciated that, when at least two hydraulic pumps (ormotors) are coupled to each other in a series mode, all of suchhydraulic pumps (or motors) may be of a variable-volume type, or of afixed-volume type. In the alternative, one of the hydraulic pumps (ormotors) may be of a variable-volume type, while another of the hydraulicpumps (or motors) may be of a fixed-volume type. When at least twohydraulic pumps (or motors) are coupled to each other in a parallelmode, such hydraulic pumps (or motors) may be similarly configured asare the case of the above multiple hydraulic pumps (or motors) in theseries mode. However, in the series mode, it may be desirable to provideall of such hydraulic pumps (or motors) to be of a variable-volume typeor of a fixed-volume type. In another example, only one of multiplehydraulic pumps may be configured to receive the mechanical energy, atleast one but not all of such hydraulic pumps may receive the mechanicalenergy, or all of such hydraulic pumps may receive the mechanicalenergy. Similarly, only one of multiple hydraulic motors may beconfigured to transmit the driving power to a driving wheel of the HATbicycle, at least one but not all of such hydraulic motors may transmitthe driving power to the driving wheel, or all of such hydraulic motorsmay transmit the driving power to the driving wheel.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of various HATbicycles, their HATs, and their variations or modifications exemplifiedthis exemplary Aspect 6 may be similar or identical to those of otheraspects or their variations or modifications. Accordingly, furtherdetails are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one of the above exemplary embodiments6-1 to 6-3 of this Aspect 6 may be [1] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics ofanother of such exemplary embodiments 6-1 to 6-3 of the same Aspect 6,or [2] similar or identical to corresponding bicycles, HATs, units,parts, and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments of otherexemplary aspects of this disclosure as described hereinabove or to beexplained hereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of the HATbicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of suchexemplary embodiments of this Aspect 6 may replace, may be replaced by,may be combined into, or may be used in conjunction with at least one ofother bicycles, HATS, units, parts, and characteristics of otherexemplary embodiments of other exemplary aspects as describedhereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

In the seventh exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 7) of this disclosure,a HAT bicycle may operate on the mechanical energy from various sourcessuch as, e.g., the first mechanical energy supplied manually by a user,or the second mechanical energy supplied by an electrical motor whichmay operate on a battery or an electrical generator. In particular, theHAT bicycle may perform the automatic transmission providing infinitelyvariable gear ratios by using at least one of the first and secondmechanical energy. Various HAT bicycle of this Aspect 7 may include atleast one electrical motor which may be configured and operated invarious embodiments which are provided below.

In one exemplary embodiment 7-1 of this Aspect 7, a HAT bicycle mayconfigure an electrical motor to drive (e.g., rotate) a pedal axisdirectly. Accordingly, the electrical motor may directly drive the pedalaxis instead of manual pedaling as exemplified in the exemplary Aspects1 to 6 and, therefore, a HAT of this embodiment 7-1 may also operatesimilar to various HATs of the exemplary Aspects 1 to 6.

In another exemplary embodiment 7-2 of this Aspect 7, a HAT bicycle mayconfigure an electrical motor to directly drive (e.g., rotate) a drivingaxis of a hydraulic pump or that of a hydraulic motor. Accordingly, aHAT of this embodiment may also operate similar to various HATs of theexemplary Aspects 1 to 6.

In another exemplary embodiment 7-3 of this Aspect 7, a HAT bicycle mayconfigure an electrical motor to directly drive (e.g., rotate) arotation axis of a front wheel or that of a rear wheel, while furtherperforming the automatic transmission with the electrical motor.Accordingly, when a user selects to drive the rotation axis of the front(or rear) wheel with the electrical motor, the hydraulic pump or motormay not have to operate.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of various HATbicycles, their HATs, and their variations or modifications exemplifiedthis exemplary Aspect 7 may be similar or identical to those of otheraspects or their variations or modifications. Accordingly, furtherdetails are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one of the above exemplary embodiments7-1 to 7-3 of this Aspect 7 may be [1] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics ofanother of such exemplary embodiments 7-1 to 7-3 of the same Aspect 7,or [2] similar or identical to corresponding bicycles, HATs, units,parts, and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments of otherexemplary aspects of this disclosure as described hereinabove or to beexplained hereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of the HATbicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of suchexemplary embodiments of this Aspect 7 may replace, may be replaced by,may be combined into, or may be used in conjunction with at least one ofother bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of otherexemplary embodiments of other exemplary aspects as describedhereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

In the eighth exemplary aspect (i.e., an Aspect 8) of this disclosure, aHAT bicycle may include at least one control unit which may bemanipulated by a controller operating on a battery or an electricalgenerator. For example, the HAT may include therein at least one sourceof electrical energy such as, e.g., a battery or an electrical generatorcommonly used in a prior art bicycle, and may then use such electricalenergy in order to manipulate the controller, the control unit, and thelike.

One exemplary embodiment 8-1 of this Aspect 8 is depicted in FIG. 6A,where a HAT may include at least one down electrical motor (611), atleast one wheel rotation sensor (616), and at least one controller(612). The down electrical motor (611) may support a cylindrical bumpprovided on the left (in the figure) of an outer cam ring (22) of ahydraulic pump (21) against the return spring (621), while the wheelrotation sensor (614) may monitor an rpm of a front (or rear) wheel andmay, therefore, be disposed in a location capable of monitoring such anrpm. The controller (612) may drive the down electrical motor (611)based on the rpm of the front (or rear wheel) monitored by the wheelrotation sensor (614), thereby pushing or pulling the outer cam ring(22). As described above, the down electrical motor (611) may operate onvarious sources such as, e.g., a battery, an electrical generator, arechargeable battery, and the like.

Accordingly, when a user rides uphill, an rpm of the front wheel and therear wheel may decrease through the load synchronizing with externalmechanical load, and the controller (612) may adjust the down electricalmotor (611) in order to push the left cylindrical bump of the outer camring (22) in a direction toward a return spring (621). As a result, adriving volume of the hydraulic pump (21) decreases, its dischargingvolume may decrease as well, and an rpm of a hydraulic motor may alsodecrease, for the hydraulic motor may only take a reduced volume of thepressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump (21), whereby the HAT (10)performs the automatic transmission from a high gear ratio to a lowergear ratio.

Conversely, when a user rides downhill, the load synchronizing mayincrease the rpm of the front (or rear) wheel, and the controller (612)may adjust the down electrical motor (611) in order to push the leftcylindrical bump of the outer cam ring (22) in an opposite directionwhich is away from the return spring (621). As a result, a distancebetween a center of the outer cam ring (22) and a driving axis of thehydraulic pump (21) may increase, the driving volume of the hydraulicpump (21) may increase, its discharging volume may also increase, andthe rpm of a hydraulic motor may then increase, for the hydraulic motormay take an increased volume of the pressurized fluid from the hydraulicpump (21), whereby the HAT (10) performs the automatic transmission froma lower gear ratio to a higher gear ratio.

It is appreciated that the wheel rotation sensor (614) of thisembodiment 8-1 may be replaced by another sensor which may monitor anyvariable which may be synchronized with the external mechanical loadwhich in turn is exerted on the driving wheel of the HAT bicycle whileriding. For example, the HAT may employ a pedal axis rotation sensorinstead of the wheel rotation sensor (614) such that the pedal axisrotation sensor may monitor the mechanical load exerted on the drivingaxis of the HAT bicycle as well as an rpm of the pedal axis loadsynchronized with such mechanical load, thereby enabling such automatictransmission. In another example, the HAT may employ a pressure sensorinstead of the wheel rotation sensor (614) so that the pressure sensormay monitor the pressure of fluid in the hydraulic motor or the pressureof fluid which is discharged from the hydraulic motor, therebyincreasing or decreasing the gear ratio. The HAT may include othersensors which may monitor other variables related the load synchronizingfor the same purpose.

Although not included in the figure, other parts of the shift adjustoras exemplified in the exemplary Aspects 3 to 5 may also be incorporatedinto the HAT of the embodiment 8-1 of this Aspect 8. In addition,various parts of the shift adjustor exemplified in the exemplary Aspects3 to 8 may also be included in the HAT and may be manipulated by thedown electrical motor (611).

Another exemplary embodiment 8-2 of this Aspect 8 is depicted in FIG.6B, where a HAT may include at least one electrical motor (615) forcontrolling the main control valve, at least one wheel rotation sensor(614), and at least one controller (612). The main control valve of theelectrical motor (615) may be configured to support the main controlvalve (510) in the valve housing (520) against the main control valvespring (510) disposed at one end of an interior of the valve housing(520), while the wheel rotation sensor (614) may be configured tomonitor an rpm of a front (or rear) wheel and may, therefore, bedisposed in a location capable of monitoring such an rpm. The controller(612) may also drive the main control valve og the electrical motor(615) based on the rpm of the front (or rear wheel) monitored by thewheel rotation sensor (614), thereby pushing or pulling the main controlvalve (510). Of course, the main control valve of the electrical motor(615) may operate on various sources such as, e.g., a battery, anelectrical generator, a rechargeable battery, and the like.

Accordingly, when a user rides uphill (or downhill), the rpms of thefront wheel and the rear wheel may decrease (or increase) through theload synchronizing with the mechanical load, and the controller (612)may adjust the main control vale of the electrical motor (615) in orderto move the main control valve (510) to the left or right (in thefigure). As a result, when a distance between the center of the outercam ring (22) and the driving axis (25) of the hydraulic pump (21) maydecrease (or increase) by pushing (or pulling) the down piston (610), adriving volume of the hydraulic pump (21) may decrease (or increase),its discharging volume may decrease (or increase), and an rpm of ahydraulic motor may decrease (or increase), for the hydraulic motor mayonly take a reduced volume of the pressurized fluid from the hydraulicpump (21), whereby the HAT (10) performs the automatic transmissionwhile decreasing (or increasing) gear ratio.

The down electrical motor (611) of the embodiment 8-1 of this Aspect 8may directly manipulate a position of the outer cam ring (22) and thedischarging volume of the hydraulic pump (21), thereby directlymanipulating the gear ratios. In contrary, the main control valve of theelectrical motor (615) of the embodiment 8-2 of the Aspect 8 maydirectly manipulate the flow direction controller of the control unit(30) and manipulate a direction of the flow of the pressurized fluid,thereby indirectly manipulating the gear ratios.

The HAT may replace the wheel rotation sensor (614) of the embodiment8-2 with another sensor capable of monitoring variables related to themechanical load exerted on the front (or rear) wheel as exemplified inthe embodiment 8-1. In addition, although not included in the figure,various parts of the shift adjustor described in the Aspects 3 to 5 maybe included into the HAT of the embodiment 8-2. Furthermore, variousparts of the shift adjustor described in the Aspects 3 to 5 may beemployed to electrically control the down electrical motor (611) aswell.

Another exemplary embodiment 8-3 of this Aspect 8 is depicted in FIG.6C, where a HAT may include at least one down electrical motor (611), atleast one wheel pressure sensor (613), and at least one controller(612), where the down electrical motor (615) and the controller (612)are configured and operated as those of the embodiment 8-1, while thepressure sensor (613) may be incorporated into one end of the adjustingpiston (430) to monitor the pressure of fluid discharged from the fluidoutlet (135) of the hydraulic pump (21). The controller (612) may drivethe down electrical motor (611) based on the monitored pressure, therebypushing or pulling the outer cam ring (22). The down electrical motor(611) may operate on various sources such as, e.g., a battery, anelectrical generator, a rechargeable battery, and the like.

The pressure sensor (613) of this embodiment may correspond to the wheelrotation sensor (614) of the above embodiment 8-1. In other words, thecontroller (612) of the embodiment 8-1 may manipulate the downelectrical motor (611) and control the discharging volume of thehydraulic pump (21) by pushing or pulling the outer cam ring (22) basedon the rpm of the front (or rear) wheel. Rather, the controller (612) ofthis embodiment may manipulate and control the same (21) by similarlypushing and pulling the outer cam ring (22) based on the pressure of thefluid discharged from the pump (21). However, considering thesimilarities between the load synchronizing and the pressuresynchronizing, the HAT of this embodiment 8-3 and another HAT of theembodiment 8-1 may also have some similarities in their configurationsand operations.

In addition, the HAT of this embodiment may include at least oneadjusting switch (310), at least one wire (320), and at least oneadjusting valve (410), as depicted in the upper left corner of FIG. 6C.Accordingly, a user may manipulate the adjusting switch (310) with themechanical or electrical energy as explained in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5B,thereby controlling the pressure exerted onto the adjusting piston(430).

The pressure sensor (613) of this embodiment may also be replaced byanother equivalent sensor capable of monitoring other variables whichmay be related to the mechanical load exerted onto the front (or rear)wheel, to the fluid pressure inside the hydraulic motor, or to the fluidpressure discharged from the hydraulic motor. Although not included inthe figure, various parts of the shift adjustor of the exemplary Aspects3 to 5 may be included into this embodiment. In addition, various partsof the shift adjustor of the Aspects 3 to 5 may electrically manipulatethe down electrical motor (611) of this Aspect 8.

Other configurational or operational characteristics of various HATbicycles, their HATs, and their variations or modifications exemplifiedthis exemplary Aspect 8 may be similar or identical to those of otheraspects or their variations or modifications. Accordingly, furtherdetails are omitted herein.

Various HAT bicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and configurational oroperational characteristics of one of the above exemplary embodiments8-1 to 8-3 of this Aspect 8 may be [1] similar or identical tocorresponding bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics ofanother of such exemplary embodiments 8-1 to 8-3 of the same Aspect 8,or [2] similar or identical to corresponding bicycles, HATs, units,parts, and characteristics of other exemplary embodiments of otherexemplary aspects of this disclosure as described hereinabove or to beexplained hereinafter. In addition, at least a portion of the HATbicycles, their HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of suchexemplary embodiments of this Aspect 8 may replace, may be replaced by,may be combined into, or may be used in conjunction with at least one ofother bicycles, HATs, units, parts, and characteristics of otherexemplary embodiments of other exemplary aspects as describedhereinabove or to be explained hereinafter.

As described in this disclosure hereinabove, various HAT bicycles may beconstructed and operated as provided in various exemplary aspects, theirexemplary embodiments, and their examples. However, such HAT bicycles,their various units, and their various parts may be varied, modified, orotherwise improved to the extent within the scope of one of ordinaryskill in the relevant art, where such variations, modifications, orimprovements may also fall within the scope of various HAT bicycles ofthis disclosure.

For example, the HAT bicycle of this disclosure may include [1] a“mechanical HAT bicycle” which operates on mechanical energy supplied toa pedal axis by a user who drives or rotates a pedal, and [2] an“electrical HAT bicycle” which operates on mechanical energy supplied tothe pedal axis, a driving axis of a hydraulic pump (or motor) unit, or adriving axis of a hydraulic (or motor) of such a unit by an electricalmotor which operates on a battery (whether rechargeable or not) or anelectrical generator. It is appreciated that basic or fundamentalcharacteristics of the HAT which includes a hydraulic pump (or motor)unit and a control unit may not change or may not be affected whetherthe HAT bicycle may operate on mechanical energy which is supplied by auser or by an electrical motor. In this context, the phrases “mechanicalenergy supplied by a user into the pedal,” or “mechanical energysupplied by a user to a pedal axis (or a rotation axis of a pedal),” and“mechanical energy supplied to a pedal axis, a driving axis of ahydraulic pump, or a driving axis of a hydraulic motor” may beequivalents to each other or may be deemed to be identical to eachother, as far as a certain amount of mechanical energy is supplied to atleast one part of the HAT bicycle. Therefore, various exemplary aspects,their embodiments, and their examples regarding the HAT bicycle whichoperates on the mechanical energy manually supplied by a user may all beapplicable to the HAT bicycle which operates on the mechanical energyelectrically supplied by a battery or a generator through an electricalmotor, except as to the energy supply aspect.

In another example, various control units exemplified in FIGS. 3A to 3H,FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIGS. 5A and 5B, and FIGS. 6A to 6C and variousmodifications thereof as exemplified heretofore may be provided indifferent mechanical configurations. In other words, various HATs ofthis disclosure operate based on at least one of the load synchronizing,the pressure synchronizing, and the movement synchronizing. Accordingly,various parts and elements of the HATs may be replaced by theirmechanical or electrical equivalents as far as such equivalents maysimilarly perform at least one of the load synchronizing, the pressuresynchronizing, and the movement synchronizing [1] by employing variousmechanical configurations which may be different from those explainedheretofore, [2] by employing various electrical configurations which maytypically incorporate at least one electrical controller, or [3] by acombination of [1] and [2].

Therefore and in one case, instead of including the single outer camring valve, the control unit may include multiple sets of valves andtubes, where such sets may function as the single outer cam ring valveas has been explained above. This configuration may require the controlunit to include a greater number of parts but may offer the benefit ofdividing the single outer cam ring valve into multiple sets and thendistribute such sets into different locations of the HAT, therebyenabling construction of a more compact HAT.

In another case, the adjusting piston and the adjusting cylinder may bereplaced by a first electrical controller, at least one actuator, atleast one pressure sensor, and so on. In this case, the pressure sensormay monitor the fluid pressure in (or out of) the hydraulic motor (orpump), and the first electrical controller may control the actuator andmove the outer cam ring depending upon such fluid pressures, therebyvarying the driving volume of the hydraulic pump (or motor), varying thedischarging volume of the hydraulic pump (or motor), and changing thegear ratios accordingly. Because the adjusting piston and cylinder areno longer necessary, such a control unit may not require the valvehousing either.

In another case, the control unit may include a second electricalcontroller which may manipulate positioning of the outer cam ring, e.g.,based on the fluid pressure in (or out of) the hydraulic motor (orpump), directly based on the external mechanical load exerted onto thehydraulic motor or on the slope of the road, and the like. Thisconfiguration may require the control unit to further include variouselectrical parts, wires, and the like. However, because the secondelectrical controller determines the exact position of the outer camring, the driving volume, and discharging volume of the hydraulic pump(or motor), this configuration may offer the benefit of obviating theuse of many mechanical parts or elements as described heretofore, whereexamples of such obviated parts may include the return spring, downspring, down piston, and the like.

It is again emphasized that various HATs explained in this disclosureoperate based on at least one of the load synchronizing, the pressuresynchronizing, and the movement synchronizing. It is appreciated thatsuch synchronizing may be accomplished by many different mechanicalconfigurations and that at least one of the above synchronizing may beaccomplished by employing various electrical sensors, electricalactuators, and electrical controllers which can manipulate suchelectrical sensors or actuators. Accordingly, it is appreciated thatmechanical and electrical counterparts or equivalents of various partsand elements of the control unit can be used to replace at least oneunit or at least one part of such a unit of various HATs, where detailsof such counterparts or equivalents are generally a matter of designingselections or choices of one of ordinary skill in the art of hydraulicpumps and equipment, electrical control of hydraulic systems, and thelike.

As described hereinabove, the pressure synchronizing in response to theexternal mechanical load (e.g., a road condition on which a user ridesthe HAT bicycle) or in response to the changes in such mechanical loadmay be accomplished by the incompressible and pressurized fluid betweenthe hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit and, accordingly,the response time for such pressure synchronizing is rather short. As aresult, various HATs employed by such HAT bicycles of this disclosuremay perform automatic transmission while providing infinitely variablegear ratios in (almost) real time in response to the external mechanicalload or the changes in such mechanical load through the pressuresynchronizing.

However, as the response time for such pressure synchronizing maydecrease, the HAT may respond to the mechanical load (e.g., mechanicalresistance to riding) and may change the gear ratios (almost) in realtime. Accordingly, a user may feel uncomfortable or annoyed by such toofrequent changes in the gear ratios. To overcome or at least minimizesuch uncomfortable experience, a HAT bicycle and its HAT may lengthensuch a response time and, therefore, may manipulate the timing of theautomatic transmission or may decrease the extent of such automatictransmission through, e.g., dampening such responses or, in other words,delaying the fluid flow related to such pressure synchronizing anddecreasing the speed or sensitivity of the automatic transmission. Forexample, the HAT may manipulate a cross-sectional area, a length, orhydraulic resistance of at least one tube of the control unit. Inanother example, the HAT may install at least one valve in order todelay the fluid flow, thereby decreasing the response time of suchautomatic transmission or delaying the automatic transmission.Alternatively, the HAT may include at least one damper or at least onewindkessel and manipulate the changes in the fluid pressure. As aresult, a user may be able to manipulate the timing or extent of suchautomatic transmission.

As described hereinabove, the driving axis of the hydraulic pump (ormotor) may mechanically couple with the rotation axis of the front (orrear) wheel or a pedal axis of the pedal either directly or indirectlyin various means. In one example, the HAT may include a prior art chain,chain gear, auxiliary gear, or auxiliary gear assembly for suchmechanical coupling. In another example, the HAT may include at leastone belt capable of transmitting such power. In addition, the HAT mayuse at least two of the above chain, chain gear, gear, or gear assemblyas a manufacturer sees it fit.

Various HATs exemplified throughout this disclosure may be incorporatedinto a prior art bicycle for children, for a juvenile, for a grown-up,or for a senior person and the prior art bicycle may be converted into aHAT bicycle for children, for a juvenile, for a grown-up, or for asenior person, where each of such HAT bicycles correspond to various HATbicycles provided hereinabove.

Various HAT bicycles of this disclosure may be used for various purposeswhich may be identical or similar to those purposes of variousconventional non-HAT bicycles. Accordingly, the HAT bicycles may be usedfor improving a user's physical condition, for racing, for transportingcargos, for commuting, and the like, where such HAT bicycles may employvarious HATs which may provide suitable ranges of gear ratios. Such HATbicycles may also employ the adjusting switches, the adjusting valves,the main control valve springs, the down pistons, the return pistons, orthe down springs each of which may suit the purposes of a user. As aresult, a manufacturer may manufacture and sell various HAT bicycleseach of which is specifically tailored and designed for improving auser's physical condition, for racing, for transporting cargos, or forcommuting. In the alternative, a manufacturer may manufacture and sell auniversal HAT bicycle which may be tailored or modified by a user insuch a way that, e.g., [1] a user may replace the adjusting switch orvalve, the main control valve springs, the down piston or spring, thereturn piston or spring, or another part of the control unit based onthe purpose of riding the HAT bicycle, [2] a user may select a certainsetting from multiple settings based on such a purpose, where the HATbicycle or its HAT may change or otherwise manipulate configurational oroperational characteristics of at least one of its various units,motors, pumps, or parts, [3] a user may select one of the manual drivingmode or the electrical driving mode, and the like.

Although not disclosed in this disclosure, various HAT bicycles of thisdisclosure may also be fabricated by incorporating various units, pumps,motors or parts of the HAT bicycles into a prior art non-HAT bicycle. Tothis end, such units, pumps, motors, or parts of the HAT bicycles may befabricated to operate with prior art parts of the non-HAT bicycle. Inaddition, the HAT bicycle may include various parts of the prior artnon-HAT bicycle such as, e.g., a handle bar, a grip, a seat, asuspension, a shock absorber, a dirt cover, a mechanical brake, a brakelever, a support, a headlight, a backlight, a front wheel rack, a rearwheel rack, a mirror, and the like.

The foregoing provides various exemplary aspects, their exemplaryembodiments, and detailed examples of various HATs (i.e., “hydraulicautomatic transmissions”) and various HAT bicycles (i.e., “hydraulicautomatic transmission bicycle”) each of which incorporates therein atleast one of such HATs. It is appreciated that the foregoing is onlyexemplary and not meant to restrict the scope of various HATs, andvarious HAT bicycles of this disclosure, and that the foregoing is notto limit the scope of claims appended below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hydraulic automatic transmission comprising: ahydraulic motor; a hydraulic pump capable of pressurizing fluidcontained therein and capable of discharging said pressurized fluid tosaid hydraulic motor; and a control unit which includes a shiftadjustor, wherein said hydraulic motor includes a motor driving axis andgenerates mechanical power for rotating said motor driving axis usingsaid pressurized fluid received from said hydraulic pump, wherein amotor pressure is a pressure of said fluid inside said hydraulic motor,and wherein said hydraulic motor increases or decreases said motorpressure as external mechanical load respectively increases ordecreases, wherein said hydraulic pump includes a pump driving axis,defines a pump driving volume, and discharges a pump discharging volumeof said pressurized fluid to said hydraulic motor per a rotation of saidpump driving axis, while pressurizing said fluid contained in said pumpto a pump pressure which is higher than said motor pressure usingmechanical energy supplied to said pump, and wherein said hydraulic pumpchanges said pump discharging volume in response to changes in saidmechanical load, whereby a ratio of a first number of rotations of saidpump driving axis to a second number of rotations of said motor drivingaxis automatically changes in response to said mechanical load, whereinsaid control unit is configured to manipulate said pump driving volumein response to changes in said mechanical load and, therefore,manipulate said ratio of said first number to said second number bymanipulating at least one of said pump pressure at which said pumpdischarging volume is changed, said motor pressure at which said pumpdischarging volume is changed, and said mechanical load at which saidpump discharging volume is changed, and wherein said shift adjustor isconfigured to manipulate at least one of a maximum value of saidexternal mechanical load at which said transmission changes its gearratio, a minimum value of said external mechanical load at which saidtransmission changes said gear ratio, a maximum value of said motorpressure at which said transmission changes said gear ratios, and aminimum value of said motor pressure at which said transmission changessaid gear ratio.
 2. The hydraulic automatic transmission of claim 1,wherein said control unit is configured to manipulate at least one of afirst amount of said mechanical energy required for discharging a presetamount of said pressurized fluid by said hydraulic motor and a secondamount of said mechanical energy required for discharging said pumpdischarging volume by said hydraulic pump.
 3. The hydraulic automatictransmission of claim 1, wherein said hydraulic pump defines a centeraxis and changes said pump driving volume by changing an eccentricitybetween said center axis and said pump driving axis in response tochanges in said mechanical load, thereby changing said pump dischargingvolume, and wherein said control unit is configured to manipulate atleast one of said pump pressure at which said eccentricity changes, saidmotor pressure at which said eccentricity changes, and said mechanicalload at which said eccentricity changes.
 4. The hydraulic automatictransmission of claim 1, wherein said hydraulic motor is one of a vanemotor, a piston motor, a gear motor, and a screw motor, and wherein saidhydraulic pump is one of a vane pump, a piston pump, a gear pump, and ascrew pump.
 5. The hydraulic automatic transmission of claim 1, whereinsaid hydraulic motor is one of a fixed-volume hydraulic motor and avariable-volume hydraulic motor.
 6. The hydraulic automatic transmissionof claim 1, wherein said transmission is incorporated into a bicyclewhich includes at least one pedal in such a way that said hydraulic pumpoperationally couples to said pedal and that said hydraulic pumpreceives said mechanical energy from a user rotating said pedal.
 7. Thehydraulic automatic transmission of claim 1, wherein said transmissionis incorporated into a bicycle which includes at least one electricalmotor and at least one source of electrical energy in such a way thatsaid hydraulic pump receives said mechanical energy from said at leastone electrical motor which in turn operates on said electrical energysupplied from said source.
 8. The hydraulic automatic transmission ofclaim 1, wherein said hydraulic pump decreases or increases said pumpdischarging volume as said mechanical load respectively increases ordecreases.
 9. The hydraulic automatic transmission of claim 8, whereinsaid control unit is configured to manipulate an extent of a decrease oran increase in said pump discharging volume when said mechanical loadrespectively increases or decreases by a certain extent.
 10. A hydraulicautomatic transmission comprising: a hydraulic motor including a motordriving axis; a hydraulic pump including a pump driving axis, capable ofpressurizing fluid contained in said pump, and capable of dischargingsaid pressurized fluid to said hydraulic motor; and a shift adjustor,wherein a motor pressure is a pressure of said fluid contained in saidhydraulic motor, and wherein said hydraulic motor pressurizes said fluidcontained in said hydraulic motor to a motor pressure while increasingand decreasing said motor pressure as external mechanical load exertedonto said hydraulic motor respectively increases and decreases; whereina pump pressure is a pressure of said fluid contained in said hydraulicpump, wherein said hydraulic pump pressurizes said fluid contained insaid hydraulic pump using mechanical energy supplied thereto to a pumppressure which is higher than said motor pressure, and discharges a pumpdischarging volume of said fluid to said hydraulic motor, and whereinsaid pump discharging volume decreases and increases as said externalmechanical load increases and decreases, respectively, whereby saidhydraulic automatic transmission automatically changes gear ratios inresponse to changes in said external load and in response to changes insaid pump discharging volume which is caused by said changes in saidexternal load, wherein said gear ratios are ratios of a number ofrotations of said pump driving axis to a number of rotations of saidmotor driving axis; and at least one shift adjustor which is configuredto manipulate at least one of a maximum external load at which said gearratios change, a minimum external mechanical load at which said gearratios change, a maximum motor pressure at which said gear ratioschange, and a minimum motor pressure at which said gear ratios change.11. The hydraulic automatic transmission of claim 10, wherein saidhydraulic pump includes an outer cam ring, and a pump driving part,wherein said outer cam ring encompasses therein a substantial portion ofsaid pump driving part and at least a portion of said pump driving axis;wherein said pump driving axis performs rotation as said mechanicalenergy is supplied thereto, wherein said pump discharging volume persaid rotation is proportional to a pump driving volume which is in turnan internal volume of said outer cam ring minus a volume of said pumpdriving part minus another volume of said at least a portion of saidpump driving axis, and wherein said outer cam ring is configured to moveback and forth and to one of decrease and increase said pump dischargingvolume by disposing a center of said outer cam ring one of closer to andaway from said pump driving axis, respectively.
 12. The hydraulicautomatic transmission of claim 10, wherein said hydraulic motor is oneof a vane motor, a piston motor, a gear motor, and a screw motor, andwherein said hydraulic pump is one of a vane pump, a piston pump, a gearpump, and a screw pump.
 13. The hydraulic automatic transmission ofclaim 10, wherein said hydraulic motor is one of a fixed-volumehydraulic motor and a variable-volume hydraulic motor.
 14. The hydraulicautomatic transmission of claim 10, wherein said transmission isincorporated into a bicycle which includes at least one pedal in such away that said hydraulic pump operationally couples to said pedal andthat said hydraulic pump receives said mechanical energy from a userrotating said pedal.
 15. The hydraulic automatic transmission of claim10, wherein said transmission is incorporated into a bicycle whichincludes at least one electrical motor and at least one source ofelectrical energy in such a way that said hydraulic pump receives saidmechanical energy from said at least one electrical motor which in turnoperates on said electrical energy supplied from said source.
 16. Thehydraulic automatic transmission of claim 10, wherein said transmissionis incorporated into a bicycle with a cover in such a way that saidcover encompass therein one of: an entire portion of said hydraulicmotor; an entire portion of said hydraulic pump; at least one halfportion of said hydraulic motor; and at least one half portion of saidhydraulic pump.
 17. The hydraulic automatic transmission of claim 10,wherein said transmission is incorporated into a bicycle including apedal and a rear wheel in such a way that said hydraulic motoroperationally couples to said rear wheel and that said hydraulic pumpoperationally couples to said pedal.